Why Family Photos Are Priceless

This is going to be a ramble; I apologize in advance, but if you stick around to the end, thank you!

On January 1st, I unexpectedly lost my mom. Being 26, I thought we had a lot more time together, more milestones to face, and so many more memories to make. She was my best friend, my #1 cheerleader, and the loudest presence in any room. Last night, as I was journaling, it hit me that this is something I want to share:

Throughout my last 11 years of photography, she had been behind me 100 percent. She listened to every idea, scrolled through nearly every album I have captured, and supported me at every step. She told anyone who would listen how proud she was of me and my work. Every time I finished an album or built a new prop setup, we would sit on FaceTime together and fine-tune every detail over and over again and she never once got sick of me (shocker!)

For years, I have always shared “allow me to capture your memories” on my website and in my posts. I knew family photos were important, but I did not truly understand the impact until now.

Over the last 2 weeks, I have been going through my photos, searching for every photo I had with my mom. I ended up discovering that I only have a handful, mostly goofy, Snapchat filtered selfies. While that is absolutely an accurate reflection of us, it doesnt’t feel like enough.

A few years back, before a family dinner, I had everybody take photos in the backyard. That would be the only time we ever got in front of my camera together, despite all my years as a photographer.

That single photo of my mom and I, clear, full resolution, looking nice and framed perfectly, capturing our similarities and her smile, is the only one I can print well and keep on my wall. I now pass it every single day, and every single day, I talk to it. To her. It reminds me exactly who she was and what she meant to me. And it has taught me something I want everyone to understand: One day, those photos will be all you have. As someone who now only has a handful, there could never be enough.

Now, more than I ever have in my career, do I understand the importance and impact of just a single photograph. That just handful of photos will be what I have to show my future children who their incredible grandmother was.

I have been wondering how I will honor my mom—her life, her support, her love and the impact she had on me. And I think I have discovered exactly that. Every photoshoot I do moving forward, my mom will be with me in spirit. And although I have always felt honored when chosen to capture someone’s family or special moments, it will now have a truly new impact and meaning to me. Knowing that I will be capturing the images that will one day mean the WORLD to someone and be their legacy.

I’ve also gotten to go through all of the ancient family photos she’s had stashed away all these years (her suitcase of family photos was her most cherished item). While looking through them, I noticed there were dozens of pictures of me as a baby, of other family members, and of me with other family members, but hardly any of my mom and I, because she was always the one taking the photo.

If you take anything away from this, let it be to book the photoshoot. The one you’ve maybe been putting off, on the fence about, or don’t think you need. Book it. Especially if you are always the person behind the camera, (or know the person who is!) Whether it’s with me, someone else, or just your phone, freeze the moments, because one day, they will be all you have.