This post – confessions of an Instagram Husband – first appeared two years ago and I thought it time to give it a second airing. I asked Graham if he had any changes to make to the original. You can read his answer at the end of this post.
My husband Graham (a.k.a. GG) gives his take on living with a blogger.
There was a time when dinner out with my beloved was a quiet, romantic outing over a pleasant meal, when clothes’ purchases were simply to be reviewed and approved (or not) and holidays abroad were just that, trips to foreign places to be enjoyed for their scenic beauty or cultural enlightenment.
But not any more! Well, not since my wife became a blogger! And then became as obsessed with this occupation as she is with playing Bridge and, to a slightly lesser extent, Golf. In fairness, she has come a long way since she started the blog, when she didn’t know how to turn a computer on and was reliant on me to type up her hand-written notes.
Dining Out
Now a meal in a restaurant isn’t quite the same until ‘She’ has taken photographs of every course, just in case she feels the urge to write a blog about the place later and has to have the evidence on show. It doesn’t matter that the rest of the restaurant patrons are giving quizzical looks in our direction.
Here (below) she is caught in the act at Chez Sara on Old Street in Malahide.
The Model Wife
Now, clothes are no longer bought outright, they are just ‘borrowed’ so that I can help in the decision-making process and then I’m obliged to take photographs of her modelling the outfits. My Samsung phone has a brilliant camera but apparently I’m not always good enough with poses, so multiple shots are required to satisfy The Blogger Wife.
We bought her a new blogger-friendly Canon EOS M10 camera last Christmas and we are both learning how to use it to better effect.
The photo below, in which Hilda is ‘lounging casually’ on a chaise longue, is one of several she insisted I take while we were on a mini-break to Harvey’s Point in Donegal (well worth a visit, by the way). After all that, she didn’t even use it in the eventual blog (which you can check out here!)
Holiday Snaps
On a holiday overseas, the random family snap on a beach or in front of a temple or palace is simply no longer adequate. Now, attention to composition is critical, wearing the right clothes to complement the surroundings or background is advisable and always keeping the look of the blog in mind is absolutely essential!
The photo (below) was taken in front of a graffiti wall beside a canal in East London to highlight the new black raincoat (an Ilse Jacobsen creation bought in Paula’s in Malahide, to be precise!). Does she look OK in the shot? Is the angle right?Does this need to be a landscape or portrait shot? Is the colour contrast sufficient?
This blogging assistant business is no easy task, believe me!
Mind you, between the Blogger Wife and the stylist daughter, my knowledge and appreciation of fashion matters has reached new heights in recent times. Indeed, my comments on new clothing items are no longer instantly dismissed but instead are even welcomed, almost as views of an ‘honest broker’!
Mobile Connection
In tandem with her new occupation, The Blogger Wife is almost permanently attached to her Samsung mobile. Such was the ever-increasing level of use – all in the interest of research via the Internet, don’t you know! – that the major jump in monthly phone costs necessitated an urgent change in her package with the supplier!
She still spends an inordinate amount of time on the phone but at least it’s cheaper now!
So now, after 35 years with Hilda as my wife, mother of our two daughters and now granny to Logan, I’m coming to terms with my new role as Blogger Assistant!
Providing my editing skills (when required), constantly taking photographs, and acting as chauffeur to the latest ‘assignments’ or to Irish Blogger Agency events are now integral parts of my ‘new life’.
Not a lot has changed since then! She still snaps meals in restaurants, she still ‘borrows’ fashion outfits, she still insists on multiple photos taken everywhere and she still spends hours on the Samsung every day. And since her blogging has become more prolific, I am required – usually at short notice – to drop everything to take the latest photo (apparently I’m improving in that regard) and to provide my editing and proofreading expertise from my previous life as a wordsmith!
My Instagram Husband is wonderful, but prone to exaggeration! I swear.
Well done GG.
I never appreciated how challenging your life had become.
Keep up the adjacent blogs – we need male perspective on these issues!
Love the ” subtle in your face” plugs. Learning fast….
..It is not at all challenging..he just likes to moan a little and be praised…like you all…
This just popped up in my Facebook feed, Hilda and I came straight over because I remembered I wanted to read about your daughter’s footwear collection. This really made me LOL – yes really laugh out loud. I’m about to share it with my husband. As you know I’m fairly recent to the party but already I get the rolling eyes and he wonders what shoefies even are!!! And the photos of food when all he wants to do is tuck in. Love it .. I might get Mr BbeD to write one in a few months time xo
Sharon…I know….yet we need them!!!!
Hilda??? Are you sure this wasn’t written by my husband?? He’s been calling me a millennial because I’m attached to my phone every waking moment!!
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Jodie…he did exaggerate….a little..
Great job Hilda. Your assistance to the “Blogger Assistant ” seems to have paid off with this post. Brilliant!
Ha ha…he is going to want a regular spot now!!!
And to think we try to limit children to ONE hour or less “screen time” a day………! Fast forward to minding a talking, tech-savy Logan in a few years, and he says….”but Granny……you do it ALL the time”!!!
Ha ha Jackie…you are probably right!
Just shared this with my husband over dinner and we’re both still laughing ( since we can both relate). So nice to know we’re all in this together 👍😂😂
Thanks Trina..He had fun writing it , but it is all true..as you know..
Lovely insight Graham. Having met you both at the Galway Fashion trail (remember the Gin Party in the Front Door), I know that behind it all you enjoy every second. Absolutely love that photo of you both. Take care, Majella.
Thanks so much Majella….xx
Hi, I’m the long-suffering husband of Muttonstyle! GG, you have my unending sympathy. On the plus side, at least I’ve found a ‘brother in arms’! Good luck with your future blogging assistant endeavours…
Maybe we can have a club for the abused and overworked assistants…. I get my own back when I write my posts…
Hope you hide that phone when grandson is around! I am now trying not to nag my grandchildren to get off that phone as they spend far too much time playing games etc. Their parents DO restrict screen time, but it is a HUGE problem with kids today.One told me yesterday that he had given up books, and he a voracious reader before. Grrrrrrrrrrrrr
I have no time to be on phone when he is with me…he is a whirlwind…
What a fun behind the scenes view!! Love it!!
Thanks Aimee…Glad you laughed too..
This is hilarious! I’m forwarding this to my “assistant.” In all seriousness, I’m so thankful for a husband who supports my new venture in every way, as I’m sure you are. Thanks for the fun read.
Lisa 🙂
Thanks Lisa…I am too. They are wonderful x
Ha, I love this! I’m happy to see all your beautiful pictures aren’t just from one take! And my husband also is a great Instagram hubby. Every night he helps me set up the shot for whatever meal I’ve created, and he is patient even though he’s likely starving. Same when we go out to dinner, though I think our friends may think we are crazy!
Yes Tina some of our friends think the same. But I love it. I don’t document everything, but you know it is like an online diary..I love looking back on what we did.
Ha! Definitely worth reposting! Love it from your husbandsp’s perspective. My husband is supportive of my new endeavor, because he likes to see me happy, and he will take pictures, but not with a very good attitude. Lol. I really need to share this with him so he truly understands how important his role is in my new endeavor!
Xx
Melanie
http://Www.mels2ndact.co
We are lucky Melanie..thanks for commenting.
I love hearing the husband’s point of view. We are blessed, for sure, to have such supportive men in our lives!
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
Thanks Shelbee..we sure are.
Ha Ha, this is great Hilda, lots of that sounds very familiar – lol. I wonder what my hubby would be saying!!! Thanks for sharing this post again, it’s a good one. Jacqui Mummabstylish
I wonder..do share..