This may come as no surprise to you, after all I am a professional photographer, but I have a special affection for family photos. And when I say a “special affection” I really mean that they are truly my most precious and valuable possessions. There is a reason I got into this business (nearly 22 years ago now, wow I just dated myself didn’t I). When all is said and done all we really have to look back on in this life are our memories, and photographs (and videos) are like little windows into the past that we can revisit any time we want.
Family photographs are a treasure trove of memories, capturing special moments and preserving them for future generations. They are a way to relive the past and keep loved ones close to our hearts. In today’s digital age, it is easy to overlook the importance of printed photographs. However, preserving family photos is crucial, and here’s why.
Family photos are one of the only ways to keep the memories of our loved ones alive. They are a physical reminder of people, places, and events that have shaped our lives. With time, our memories will undoubtedly fade, but photographs can help us recall the details of our past with crystal clarity. By printing and preserving our family photos, we ensure that the stories of our ancestors are not lost and that their legacy lives on.
Family photos are not just a window into our personal past, but also a valuable resource for recording genealogy. They help us trace our family’s history, identify ancestors, and connect with relatives we may have never met. Old photographs can reveal important information such as dates, locations, and family relationships. By preserving these images, we can help future generations understand their roots and heritage.
I recently received an envelope from my fathers sister who lives on the opposite side of the country. I grew up far from this side of my family and did not have the opportunity to get to know that branch of my family tree well. Until this envelope arrived I did not have a single photo of my paternal grand parents, not to mention aunts, cousins etc.
Standing at our kitchen counter my daughter and I along with my 78 year old father opened this small time capsule and marveled at the faces of people who looked vaguely like us, and cried happy tears. I saw a photograph of my grandmother and finally knew where I get my arched eyebrows. I saw the faces of my great-grandparents and imagined them as loving, and attentive grandparents to my father. We spent an evening in tears rejoicing over this small but priceless stack of old family photographs and documents.
Family photos have a unique ability to evoke emotions and connect us to our loved ones. They can bring back memories of happy times, and also honor difficult times. Looking at old family photos can be a way to process grief and remember the people who are no longer with us. By preserving these images, we keep our loved ones close and honor their memory.
Because of my expertise and special interest in family histories it often falls to me to gather and organize the visual histories of my own family. I have been the one to scan and sort hundreds of photos and set them to sentimental music to be played at the celebrations of life for departed loved ones. In those times as I spend hours looking through these moments frozen in time I am struck by the finite and oh so precious nature of this life.
If there is one thing I could encourage everyone to do it would be to protect your family photos. They should printed in albums, displayed on your walls, stored in archival boxes, digitized and backed up and shared with your loved ones. You will never regret investing in your families visual history. Just imagine your great-great grandchildren someday years from now tearing up over seeing your face and recognizing the arch of their own eyebrows, or smiling at the way you obviously adored your spouse and children.
Family photos are a valuable resource that should be carefully preserved and cherished. They are a way to keep our memories alive, understand our family’s history, and connect with and honor our loved ones. Whether it’s through digitization, albums, or displayed artwork, preserving family photos is an investment in our past and our future.
For more information on how I can help you tell and pass down your families story get in touch, I would be only too happy to be your family photographer and contribute to your beautiful visual history!
