it’s so simple
I don’t see a phone anywhere. In fact, there’s really nowhere for her to even keep a phone. No pocket or purse.
Pepper is so present when she’s with Zen. It kind of blew my mind.
I am so connected to my phone, in large part because it serves as my camera at all times. I have to admit though that I’m pretty prone to doing a quick check of Facebook and Instagram and my email when I have it in hand.
Most parents don’t have their phone more than a couple of feet away from them in order to check it quickly and often (or take a photo).
The entire time Pepper was with Zen though she didn’t check her phone. I’m not even sure where it was. I asked her about it and she said that she was way too easily distracted by it so she does two things.
Two tips for unplugging
*she doesn’t carry her phone around with her
*she goes outside with Zen
When she first told me these two things I was thinking, please tell me there’s more! I wanted some formula for resisting the urge to check my phone for updates (not have the umbilical cord cut completely by having to leave my phone inside the house and miss a picture or an update! ).
The thing is, it works! Not every single moment of life needs to be photographed (heresy spoken by a photographer, I know). Many moments just need a present parent…someone who is giving their undivided attention to the person they are with.
Life is much simpler than we make it.
Being here in the mountains has made me realize how little there is to miss in the social media world. I’m about to go back to life at home and I don’t want to go back to being so plugged in. I’m signing up for Brooke Snow’s Digital Detox course. I’d love for you to join me! (let me know if you sign up, too, and we could share what we discover, use the code WELOVEYOU for $30–I’m not getting a kick back for saying that 😉 I just know Brooke creates amazing and insightful courses that you don’t want to miss! ).
Thank you, Pepper, for the awesome reminder that life can be as simple as leaving my phone in the house and going outside!
This is the Nix Family
I photographed Pepper and Zen last year and I can’t wait to photograph them again in just three weeks! For their session I got to be with them during one of the summer evenings hanging out at home. They played in Zen’s room, rode bikes through the sprinklers, ate popsicles, and ran/chased each other down the street a few times. I was there for bath time, the nightly ritual of learning The Declaration of Independence, and watching their favorite show. I love the wild, funny, and endearing relationship Pepper has with Zen. To see their slideshow, CLICK HERE (formatted for best viewing on a laptop or desktop) or on the photo below.
What Pepper said:
“OMG OMG OMG OMG!!!! I am in LOVE!!!!! I am beyond happy, you captured our relationship perfectly!!!! When are you coming back?! I want to set up the next session!!!”
Charlotte family photographer
Make sure to get your copy of my free e-book. CLICK HERE!
Davina Fear is a Familyness Adventurer, and Charlotte family photographer. She believes it adds magic to dinner time to drink chilled water out of a vintage lemonade bottle she and Mike received during their adventure in England. She also thinks that mistakes are inevitable (and helpful) and she’s getting pretty used to being ok with them.
She blogs at davinafear.com , and does photo documentaries of families who have awesome connections to each other, like Pepper and Zen, and don’t want to miss this moment…the real one…that’s happening right now.
Comment
Wonderful pictures!
When with your children, really be with them. Put down your phone, switch off the TV and focus on your child. Ask open-ended questions of them and answer their questions to you thoughtfully and thoroughly. Show them that they are a priority in your life.