Confession time. Confession Wednesday? No? That’s not a thing?

Either way, it’s comin’ out.

I didn’t take my DSLR to Disney World.

GASP.

I’m a photographer. I love photographing things and events and people. And I love making art. But, for this trip, I left my camera at home. On purpose.

Do I sound crazy yet? Good.

Having a DSLR is great. Also great? Having an iPhone.

If you know what you’re doing, that trusty iPhone in your pocket can help you create some pretty nice images. I wasn’t going to Disney without my phone, so I made a conscious, long-thought-out decision to leave my big girl camera at home. Here are a few reasons why…

1. Space. I like purses just as much as the next southern gal lugging around 13 tubes of lipstick, 8 pens, and every single freakin’ receipt from last week. But, when I’m at theme parks, I don’t want to keep up with a lot. I pretty much down-size to a small Kavu bag. There may even be a fanny pack in my future. Don’t hate.

2. Convenience. Y’all, I can do hard things. I’m always up for a challenge. Unless it’s at Disney World. Then, I’m never up for the challenge. I have no shame. I’ll take the easy road. And that little path leads me straight to the iPhone snuggly tucked away in my little Kavu bag.

3. UM, I JUST DON’T WANT TO LUG IT AROUND ON AND OFF ALL THE RIDES, OK?! GOSH.

I always say, “Do what you can with what you have where you are.” Actually, Roosevelt said it. I just live by it. And repeat it. Often.

This is real life. And with my family, it’s best to photograph what’s going on occasionally and just be in the moment. I’m not going to get this time back. And neither will they. I don’t want to be remembered as the one who always just took photos. I don’t think it’s a bad thing that my children will be able to look back on photos and remember what I looked like when I was mothering them, disheveled or not. I mean, I took enough photos of them with my iPhone to document their time at Disney. They can check it off the list. We have proof we were there. And incase they shall ever (Heaven forbid) fall into deep, dark pit of brattiness, I can easily remind them of their glorious parents and that time we took them to Disney World and smiled most of the time.

We conquered Disney. I came back with some images I’m really pleased with. But, (most cheesy and) most importantly, we brought home some really great memories.

xo | Brooke

*On a side note for all you Disney go-ers, we also purchased the Memory Maker. It ensured that I was actually in some of our vacation photos. Like, that one time when Darth Vader almost attacked me. It also includes those crazy photos you’re always teary-eyed laughing at when you get off the ride. Mostly because you’re laughing at the guy next to you. But, still. SO WORTH IT.