So, how many of my blog readers here DON’T like to get their picture taken? Any hands?
This is one of the most frequent comments I hear, especially from the grandparent generation. Very convenient to my career, I am the one behind the camera in my family 99% of the time – It’s a good excuse don’t you think?
Flipping through the family album….
Is anyone missing? Hmmmm….
Wait! Here’s one!
(Wow -I look so young!)
So, because I take possession of the camera on all of our family outings, I have exactly 4 pictures of Avari and I together. FOUR I have probably close to 5,000 images of Avari, and at least 100 of Avari and Kevin together. Until recently, I brushed it off thinking that one day soon, we’d get over to see my amazing friend Karen McKinnon and we could get our own special portrait done.
That is, until I attended David Anthony William’s program at the conference I attended last month. If you’ve ever spent an hour and a half in a room with 500 adults with tears rolling down their cheeks, you’ll know that you are in the company of an amazing inspirational speaker (and person.)
Unlike many of the programs I attended, this one wasn’t about the rockstars, or the hype, or about selling the next latest and greatest product. This one was about pure emotion, and it stripped down photography to the core.
Why is photography important?
Some of the greatest points that Mr. Williams talked about is capturing the essence of an individual in their portrait. Do you have a shy, serene child? Why try and force them to have that perfect “Cheese!” smile in their photo. That isn’t who they are, and that isn’t what you are going to remember about them. Equally in families, it’s so important to capture the dynamics of the family.
Why?
Because photographs are the keeper of the spirit, and they keep people alive.
Will your great grandchildren have any photos to pour over once technology renders digital files and storage unusable? Will they have anything to hang on their walls or to add to their shelf? Do the photographs you have convey your true spirit and do they tell a story?
Once someone is gone, the only way to continue their legacy is by photograph. Let’s think. Do you have any favourite photographs of your grandparents? Can you piece together a story of their life from memories captured? Now think about yourself, if you avoid getting your photograph taken at all costs. What do you have to pass on to your grandchildren? Is it a whole stack of pictures with you cut out of them, or with you giving an annoyed look at the person behind the camera. Of course people say that they don’t look good in photographs! – All they have to look at from the past are pictures of them using their “take that picture and I’m going to come over there and get you” face. For an example of this face, scroll back up to the aforementioned photo of myself.
A true professional photographer will know how to use flattering light to create soft shadows. They’ll know how to wait for that moment when your expression softens. They’ll know how to use poses that bring your family together as a unit. They’ll know how to create heritage archival prints that will last for generations to come.
The most influential phrase that I brought home from that program was this:
“Requesting a Photograph, or Being In One, Is An Act of Love”
Think about your family and what history you have left them for the future.
Phew! Just writing that out was bringing back the tears. I realized this morning that my husband and I met exactly 10 years ago today. Flipping through my old albums, I found this picture.
This was taken the exact day that we met. Even though it is not at all flattering, and my friend will probably kill me for posting it online, I will always cherish it. From looking at this photograph I had a flashback of the whole evening. I remember watching a group of them play volleyball at UVIC, then I remember riding the bus out to 80′s night. I remember that it was Jessica’s 21st birthday, and that Michael Jackson was playing when this was taken. I got to show my daughter today and tell her the whole story, which I had not done, because I hadn’t really remembered until I looked at this picture. The only thing I don’t remember is who was behind the camera!
This is another that stuck out in my mind. There aren’t very many pictures of my Dad and I together (and don’t get me started about my Mom!), but this is one of the best memories that I have as a child, and I will also cherish this image. Although I kind of wish that my Mom was in it as well…
Before I even left the auditorium, I had created two resolutions for this year. The first is to get an updated portrait, especially one that has both Avari and I together. The other is to get Avari photographed with her Grandparents and extended family. She is very fortunate to have all four of her Grandparents, and come hell or high water, I will get those images for her to hang on her wall! (So be prepared Mom and Dad, I’m coming for you very soon!)
I know I was trying to keep this post light, although it is a bit of a serious subject. If you have been putting off getting a professional portrait session of your family, really ask yourself why. And once you’ve thought about it, send me an email to chat! I’m happy to answer any questions or concerns. I’ll be announcing some special mini sessions for Moms, Dads and Grandparents, and if you’d like to include the whole family in a more custom environment, ask about a Classic Session.
All inspiration and quotes for this post are 100% attributed to David Anthony Williams – a brilliant photographer and speaker who resides in Ontario
wow, now im crying… so very true , thanks for sharing your photos and your special memories . : ) Danyelle
This is such a great post. I feel the same way, there are so few pictures of me with Meeghan. I wish I could afford to do family portraits more often, in the meantime I’ll have to make more of an effort to have Kevin take more pictures of the two of us. Thanks for this great reminder!
This is a terrific post! Thanks for sharing. I also made a resolution this year to allow my kids to take photos of me because one of my youngest keeps complaining she’ll have no photos of me, yet I have tons of her. So sweet!
Love this blog post – thanks for reminding me of that quote, to request a photograph or be in one is an act of love – so beautiful and true.
As you know, I am just a boat ride away when you are ready for that family photo
I, too, am usually the one behind the camera and have at least one decade of my life without a single photograph to show I lived in it. I thought at the time that I wasn’t pretty enough, wasn’t slim enough, wasn’t stylish enough… But here I am 30 years older and wishing there were photos of me from that time when I was 30 years younger, prettier, slimmer and more stylish than my current 50 year old self. As much as you may not appreciate your appearance today, in 5 years or 10 years or 15 years, you’ll look back with wonder at how young and beaufiful you were.