Life & Photography

In June my grandfather passed away.  Some of you may have seen me mention it on fb, or have had delayed responses from me during this time.  Being the family photographer, it was my responsibility to put together the slideshow for his funeral.  When I’m shooting baby sessions, I often joke about the images being great blackmail, pieces down the road, or will frequently say “there’s one for the wedding dvd.”  The funny thing is that I take pictures for granted.  What???  How could that possibly be right?  People walk into my house, and often find themselves wondering around from wall to wall, b/c there are so many portraits on my walls.  I am however the WORST about bringing my camera to family functions.  Partly b/c mine are so large, and involved.  I think maybe if I had a higher end point and shoot, or something just below an slr, I’d be better about it.  Anyhow, when the time came for pulling pictures for the slideshow, I realized that I didn’t really have any.  I also realized that I haven’t printed a single birthday or holiday picture (that isn’t an actual portrait) in probably three or four years.  My poor youngest child, is going to feel so slighted.  My oldest has a ton of photo albums documenting her earliest years, not only that but they are numbered!!!  Yeah, I was that mom!  Great right??  Yeah, I think so.  My point is, that even if it seems like a pain, or an inconvenience b/c the party or function is busy, still take pictures!  Hire someone, have uncle Stan do it, someone, anyone.  Record those memories one way or another.  They are oh so important.  The only pictures I had that were recent to contribute to the slideshow, were off of my camera phone.  I remember when those fist came out, and I thought it was the stupidest thing ever.  Little did I know, just how much of a roll it would have in my life!