One of the reasons I absolutely LOVE being a photographer is I’m able to capture the memories and emotions of children as they grow older, couples as they commit their love to one another on their wedding day, or the overwhelming new love that grows and forms as a baby is welcomed into the world. Many of these things would be left to the memory of our minds and we all know how reliable our memories can be over the years! Custom photographs are not only artwork to proudly display on your walls, but even just a couple of years down the road you’ll be able to look back and see how much your child has grown, how far your marriage and relationship has continued to mature, or just how fast that wee little baby has grown up!
This Winter I’ve been busy brainstorming and thinking about ideas and ways to help my clients and friends preserve memories, either from childhood or from the crazy busy lives we lead. When is the last time you pulled out a camera and just took a couple of snap shots of those you love? What about capturing the laughter and smiles of doing something you love together? It seems the little moments or activites that we enjoy most often seldom get the attention from a camera- yet years down the road it’s THOSE moments we remember, and sadly it’s exactly that- only memories.
While thinking and creating new ideas for this coming year I took some time to think back to my childhood and what stands out as my favorite childhood memories. At the top of my list lie 3 things:
1. My dad getting down on the floor and playing with us.
2. Fishing, (specially ice fishing) with my Grandpa Gary
3. The Spring/Summer 30 mile cattle drives on horseback. (yes.. chasing a herd of cattle all day long for 2 days in a row 25-30 miles in total- all from on top of my horse.
as a newly wed I’m sharing this with my husband and trying to describe the excitement and fun these memories bring to me- but without pictures it’s extrememly difficult to share your previous experience and memories with another person. You’ve tried this right? You’ve visited another country, or even city and you come home and try to tell stories about what you saw and did and the attention span of your audience is quite limited. Now… what if you told your stories to your friends when you arrive home but you had pictures and journals to share to bring your words to life? Big difference huh!?
Just as I was a little frustrated as I didn’t believe any pictures still existed of my top 3 memories from growing up my grandparents enclosed a couple of pictures with my Christmas gift. The Really COOL part is… I hadn’t told them about my desire or wish about having these pictures. Of the 3 or 4 pictures they sent.. what picture really stood out to me???
That’s it- it may be the only picture that remains from my #1 favorite childhood memory. This picture alone is the best and my absolute FAVORITE present I’ve EVER received!(That’s me on the back ;) )
So I challenge you..
Are your children only going to have memories of their favorite activies… or will they have the pictures to back them up?
You’ve been dating awhile now, or you’re engaged.. or now you’re married…… so when’s the last time you had your pictures taken? 2…5… or even 10 years from now what are you going to have to look back on what you enjoyed right NOW?
I’d love to help you capture today so that tomorrow and even 10, 15, or 50 years from now… Today will be remembered like it was Yesterday! :-D
Email me: tessa@L3Photography.com
by Tessa
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