Written by A lot of people harass me about the way I always seem to disappear the moment a camera is pointed in my general direction. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again–I’ve always felt much more comfortable behind the camera than in front of it, and I have honed by photo avoidance skills to the point where I am a ghost on film. You’d swear you saw me, then POOF! I’m gone.
I guess I always thought it was just part of my introverted personality. It made perfect sense that the quiet girl who embraced the solitary life of a writer would also be a little camera shy. When it comes right down to it, my aversion to being photographed is so strong that I would honestly rather walk across a bed of red hot coals than have to smile and pose for a photo. Yet, I have recently discovered that my photophobia is actually a genetic affliction, and that I have my birthparents to thank.
While my birthfather Shawn is prone to grumbling whenever I point my camera in his direction, it’s Momma Dawn that that really rivals me for the title of President of the official I Hate Being Photographed Club. After our initial reunion and all the photo ops that went with it, the next photo I was able to take of Momma Dawn was at my wedding five years later. And I can count on one hand the number of photos I have of Cadence and her Nonna together. So, I decided that, on this trip, Momma Dawn was just going to have to suck it up, stop making excuses and be in a few photos. I’m sure I’ll get more this weekend, but here are a few I was able to snap today before Momma Dawn went into hiding again.
Tonight’s 365 Project entry is dedicated to my photophobic Momma. Thanks for passing it along. 😉
Lori Romano 