cause and effect-photography

Last Friday I walked the band kids down the field for senior game night. I quickly grabbed my pocketbook and keys without checking my camera; I had just charged my battery and cleared my memory card. I figure I'll have fun taking pictures in the crowd waiting for the actual event; the kids have to prepare a bit earlier so waiting comes with these events. We park and I grab my camera, keys, and money. I shouldn't need anything else, I won’t fill a whole memory card. The kids head into the band room to get their instruments while I pay for my ticket and find a seat in the stands. The band and team are introduced over the loud speaker and then the band files into their section of the bleachers. Already antsy I start wandering around and see great angles for some shots. I hold back so my teen doesn't endure teasing about her crazy mom under the bleachers. Had I tried that one shot, checked my equipment, or brought my backups, I may have had time to rectify the wrong coming. Parents gather in our section and cameras come out! I ask a parent to take our photo. I hand her my camera, we smile, and she frowns. "Memory card missing" scream flashing red words silently. Devastation, embarrassment, and regret set in. I have let my child down, myself down, and not only will I miss capturing this moment, I know better. This has happened before.