November 4, 2013 The Power of a Photograph
I am a photographer. I spend my life documenting others’ lives. It’s a beautiful job and I love providing people with tangible memories of fleeting moments in their lives. I, however, do not document my own life as well as I should. I post photos of my cat on instagram almost daily, but when’s the last time I was photographed with my parents? At our wedding two years ago. I could count all of the times we’ve been photographed together in the last 5 years on one hand.
The photo above features 6 amazing people. (I can count, I’m in my momma’s belly :)) My mom and dad, my dad’s best friend and brother Tom, and both of their moms. The love and excitement anticipating my arrival in this photo is unmistakable. I can’t look at this photo without having a big smile on my face. The day it was taken, it was already an important image. It’s priceless.
A few days ago, my Grammy Carol passed away. She’s the grandmother on the right side in the above photo, sitting next to my Uncle Tom, who passed away in 2010. When Uncle Tom left us, I was absolutely devastated. I kept the only decent photo I had of the two of us on my keyring with me to help me get through the days. That photo was taken when I was in the fourth grade. He was such a huge part of my life, and yet the most recent (decent) photo of us was from over 15 years ago. There was one other, taken shortly after his cancer diagnosis outside his apartment building when I went to visit him on a whim one day, but for some reason I lost the digital file and only had the low-res facebook upload.
I vowed to myself that it was time to change, and that as uncomfortable as it can be with a family that doesn’t make a habit of taking photographs, I wouldn’t let that happen again. And yet, life got in the way, and I did. Thankfully I have photos of me and Grammy Carol from my graduations, and many from my childhood, but I wish I had more. I have not one photo of me and my grandmother from the last 5 years. I am grateful for the images I do have, and the memories I’ve made with the people I love, but I wish I had more.
I live a life of love, surrounded by amazing people. It’s a life worth documenting. Photographs give you a way to look back on the happy memories of our past. They give you a way to remember the people we’ve loved and lost. They’re worth so much more than the cost of the paper they’re printed on. They’re priceless.
Hug your loved ones. And then take a photo together. This life is beautiful. It’s worth documenting.
Alison Harper
Posted at 07:18h, 04 NovemberOh Brea, what a beautiful message. I am so sorry to hear about your loss. We felt the exact same way when my grandmother passed. I hope you are not clicking away, documenting your own family. Its amazing how we treat others but put our own on the backburner sometimes.
Katie
Posted at 07:25h, 04 NovemberI’m so sorry for your loss Brea!! Thanks for sharing this…documenting your memories is so important! Sometimes we forget that since we’re so wrapped up in documenting other people’s, but this is a great reminder!
Dani
Posted at 07:28h, 04 NovemberSo true, chica. Hope everything went well at the memorial yesterday and that you are hanging in there. Let’s snap a pic the next time we are together too. Instead of ya know, just chowing down on our Mexican. :-)
Jennifer
Posted at 07:53h, 04 NovemberBrea, I am so, so sorry to hear about your Grammy Carol. It is so true, what you have written here though- having pictures of our loved ones is just so important.
Natalie
Posted at 08:11h, 04 NovemberI’m so sorry for your loss, Brea. I’m thinking of you during this difficult time! The power of photography and documenting our lives is incredibly poignant when you lose someone you love… What you do as a photographer matters… And having photographs like these give you something always hold onto and smile about… remembering the love of your beautiful family! Sending you a hug! Thinking of you!
Jackie Phillips
Posted at 08:17h, 04 NovemberSorry to hear for your loss about your grammy! It also sounds like your Uncle was a great man! Praying for you!
katie
Posted at 09:00h, 04 NovemberOh Brea.. sending you so many hugs right now. I’ve had this realization before and its never an easy one. Once in a while I dig through my old folders of pictures to see if there are any of my grandmother that I missed. Stay strong and bring that camera out when you’re with your family- you’re the only one who will! <3 Love you girly
Emilia Jane
Posted at 11:14h, 04 NovemberI am so sorry for your loss!
Matoli
Posted at 11:42h, 04 NovemberSo sorry about your loss Brea. It is in moments like these that photographs of those we love have the biggest impact. It is a constant remind that even though we are behind the camera, documenting others stories and memories, we also have to remember to capture ours.
Sarah Adams
Posted at 13:14h, 04 NovemberBrea- I am so sorry for your loss. This is such a beautiful post, and such a wonderful reminder- “It’s a life worth documenting.”– So true.
Bonnie Shepherd Adkins
Posted at 13:54h, 04 NovemberLove this
Joanne Sisk
Posted at 14:08h, 04 NovemberI can’t type through my tears…..
Christy Tyler
Posted at 15:38h, 04 NovemberI am so so sorry for your loss sweetheart. I seriously just had a dream that my grandmother passed away last night (she actually passed away 8 years ago – wow – has it been that long?!), but the dream brought all those feelings back to the front of my mind and it felt like it happened all over again. Anyway, that is to say – I know your pain. I too wish I had more photos of us together, but thankfully I at least have many many amazing memories, and a few good photos that are framed and out for me to help remember her always. Sending so many hugs to you. x oxo
Michael and Carina
Posted at 14:37h, 05 NovemberJust amazing. A cousin of mine passed away yesterday – hold those memories dear.
Megan Ibbotson Neforos
Posted at 22:06h, 06 NovemberBeautiful Brea! <3 So very true