For the people now

…because sometimes we need to remember the good and beautiful things in the midst of reality.

I have two framed photos on the top of my dresser with each of my kids and me. Usually when I’m in that part of the house it is after their bedtime shenanigans or I’m rushing to get dressed. Having those images in an easy-to-see spot always gives my mind a chance to take a deep breath. I need reminders lise this throughout my day to remember to stop, practice gratitude for my beautiful family, and refocus on the priorities.

For the people later

…that will never meet you, but want to know who you were and have a little glimpse into your personality and mannerisms.

In 100 years, all that will remain of you are the stories, the videos, and the photos. I hope no one has to dig through thousands of digital images just to find the one photo of you they want to frame and cherish throughout their lifetime. Let’s make it easy for them and print your favorite photo now so you can be sure to have the one with your “good side” framed for the next 5 generations. You know what I mean? ;)

Because technology is always changing

No matter how great you are at staying on top of the newest technology, somewhere down the line, after you are no longer here, someone is going to miss a step and never see the incredible photos of you and your family. Printing some of the favorite images from your family shoot this year is an automatic way to avoid a technology mishap.

Me personally

We have a gallery wall (painted black, of course) in our upstairs hallway that is filled with four generations of photos that are incredibly precious to us. There are wedding photos from both sets of our parents and our grandparents, photos from vacations in the 1940’s, a Christmas in the 50’s, a “selfie” from Matt’s parents on their honeymoon, a black and white photo of my parents when my mom first realized she was pregnant with me, and then more recent images with our own kids. But, there are two photos that I think of every day.

The first one is a black and white image of Matt’s grandparents (Nana and Papaw). They are standing side by side, in front of a car, with their arms linked. Papaw is in his military uniform and Nana has on a sleeveless top tucked into a long skirt. Even in the shadows of the black and white, you can tell that they have been crying. This was a photo taken of them moments before they said goodbye to each other and Papaw shipped out to serve in the Cold War. They were just dating and saying goodbye as though they may never meet again. I’m sure it seemed odd to them that I chose this photo as one to frame in our home, but I just love it. I treasure this photo because it shows their humanity. I feel like I am standing there with them in this moment of raw vulnerability. I feel connected to them, like I was given a gift to share in this sadness with them. To me, this image is vulnerable and full of emotion. It makes me love them as fellow humans, not just grandparents.

The second photo that I think of is a black and white, 8x10 image of my grandfather Ashton catching a fish. He is sitting in a chair on the back of a boat and his rod is bending with the weight of something. He is filled with joy and anticipation and I find myself squealing along with excitement as I wait to see what is on the other end of the pole. The way his eyes are squinting and his mouth smiles is the same expression that I have frequently seen in my dad. To me, this image is welcoming and friendly. I feel like I’m the photographer and my camera is clicking 100 times a second trying to make sure that I don’t miss a single expression on his face. I never met my grandfather Ashton, so the feelings I have looking at this photo help me feel like I knew him. I knew him from the stories, but also because I see my dad in him and his mannerisms.

For both individual images, I feel like I am watching a movie. I feel like I know them based merely on the expressions on their faces. I can hear their voices, their laughs of delight, and the sadness in their cries.

Why are these images important? Because they are our family. They are who my husband and I come from. They are a part of our narrative.

I never met my grandfather, Ashton, but I know Matt’s grandparents very well. Still, I feel like I know them equally because I have these images, in all of their emotion, to tell me more of their story.

Invest in the timelessness

If you're anything like me, you loved the photos from your shoot, posted a couple on Instagram, revisited your online gallery a few times, texted a couple to family, and then filed away ordering prints or an album onto your next month "to do" list. And if we are honest, most of us never really find the motivation to order prints until December when we are rushing to get them in time for holiday gifts.

But what I do know is that you didn't invest the time, money, and energy (or a good weekly washing of your hair) to have photos taken JUST for one good social media post. Nope! You had photos taken because memories matter and you want these moments to last for years to come.

Invest in the timelessness of prints for the people now and for the people later.

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