Amy Montgomery – Photographer :: Burlington Ontario Children's Portrait Photography » Ontario photographer "Amy Montgomery" shoots portraits of children on location. Here you will find glimpses of recent sessions and client inspiration.

This morning I stumbled upon an article called “How to Miss a Childhood”. If you’re a smart-phone user, you might want to give it a read. It wasn’t exactly news to me, … putting my iphone down and spending time with my kiddos is something I have been conscious of lately. But this article reminded me of the nuiances of parenting that really make a difference from your child’s perspective: making eye-contact with them in your conversations, picking them up from school without distractions, having a good chat about their day while driving down the road…. generally interacting as if THEY are the most important person to you in that moment.

I think about the times that I’ve eclipsed my child with my smartphone in hand… the times I’ve raised a finger to say “one-sec” while checking a message…the times I’ve turned my back because I heard a text message or email notification ring through. I justify it as necessary for my work – as if my phone is the key to achieving the perfect balance of being able to spend time with my kids while staying on track with my job. But those messages can wait. I don’t need to be available 24 hours a day…. except to my children.

I am going to try harder…. to put the phone away… to define blocks of time when I’m working vs. playing… to live fully in the moment. So I can push the swing with both hands, look them straight in the eyes and convince them that they are TRULY my most important people. Wanna join me?

(Here’s a pic from a recent session… just thought it was fun!)