Photographs

Since I’ve worked in death care I have become more deeply connected to photographs.  I grew up in an age when we had to snap the picture and send film away for the results. As I know help people celebrate their lives the photos mean a great deal to everyone.  Without a photo there are many of life’s events we would not remember.  That’s why we take them right? I mean we don’t say I hope I forget this so let’s get a shot!   They are taken in times of meaning.  They are the moments of a new smile coming through, a night out as a couple, the new puppy, all the moments of life.  

Photos of Anna really make me feel impressed with how far she has come.  It took years for her to grow and do some things.  I have those photos of her laying on the floor because she could not do anything else.  I have many of those.  Unless she was propped she did not sit with any stability until she was 9 years old.  This included many pictures of her in physical and occupational therapy.  She was lying on the floor for years as well.  When she learned to sit upright without support boy the pictures started.  Pictures are the moments in time that we need to look back upon.  

Then the pictures began with her in and out of her wheelchair. I long to have some shots where she is not constantly sitting in that chair.  I know she needs the wheelchair and it is a big part of her life but she should get lots of photos out of it as well.  I try to make that happen. 

As I work in death care I see the most beautiful lives displayed in photos.  Whether it is a slide show or a picture board I see the life of a person who is no longer here.  I might see the better life as they may have suffered with a disease or ailments.  Many times without the photo I would not have known the person who died was the person in the casket.  This is because life takes its toll on us. It could be me or it could be you, we do not get to choose.  So when I see the pictures of the vibrant toddler and the high school years, the marriage photos, the military photos, I see a life that cannot be explained in words.  I see a full life and one that will be remembered.  Then the person who no longer resembles their former self is understandable, you see their life journey in photos.  The photos take the story to another level.  You can see people age in photos.  You can see them grow.  You can see the history of the world through one lovely person, of a family right before your eyes.  

The black and whites are my favorite.  I love to see the way those photos were taken.  I love the ones that are retouched.  I love the elegance of those.  I just love to look back and see how a life has unfolded.  

Today we have the ability to photograph everything. I have tons of phone photos like everyone. But taking the time to dress for a photo, get people together, make a memory and a moment. These are the times life stops a little.

And so I had a professional photo shoot while Grant was in town.  He just came and spent 11 days with us.  I had booked the session in November of 2024.  I have not had family photos taken in a long long time.  I’m going to get back on track with this, they are important.  When was the last time you had your family in a photo studio?  Take the time to showcase your family, your life, give that memory a permanent place on your wall.  Get those moments in time saved.  We all know they whiz by like the wind.  

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