how is your life story told?
do you know how someone's life story is told?
Pictures.
Pictures show that you lived. They tell your story.
They bring back memories that feel like it was yesterday.
I attended a funeral this year for my husbands uncle. It was an unexpected passing that surprised us all. It was a lovely memorial full of people who loved him and his family. His kids shared some memories and words about their dad. I thought about the times I had spent around uncle Mitch. The first time was the first Valentine's Day Chris and I were together. We went to outback and we're waiting for a table. Uncle Mitch and aunt Margie were there, They invited us to sit with them which we did. He was hilarious and we had a great time. He also bought our dinner which was so sweet and I came to find out so like him to give and do for others. He had a few "catch phrases" you could guarantee he would say if he was around. He loved to make people laugh and was very good at it!
they played a slideshow of pictures set to some of his favorite songs (which did make everyone smile since the 1st song was great balls of fire, lol) It wasn't just family portraits. It told a great story of a boy. A boy who grew up, got married to the love of his life and had his own family. Pictures having fun with his kids who then grew up and had kids. Pictures of a grandpa living life and having a great time with his grandkids. Pictures with extended family and siblings. Joy filled pictures. Life filled pictures. Everyday, seemingly mundane life pictures. now even more treasured than before.
The only thing I didn't see a lot of was family pictures. Like the whole family through out the years and into grandkid years. I know it's a lot of work to get your family together. When you're a young family it seems impossible to get family pictures because, well...little kids. They don't want to do it, they want to run around and get dirty. But it's WORTH it. When everyone is grown, life is crazy busy. There's jobs and school and extra people added to the family. Almost impossible to get everyone together. But it's WORTH it.
Pictures matter.
They give you memories you can hold in your hand not just your heart.
So hug your loved ones a little tighter tell them you love them so often that it's annoying and predictable. Have your family pictures done at least once a year. Then when there's so many of you that you can't seem to get everyone together at once try harder and make it happen. Make a party out of it. Don't forget to capture all the regular stuff too. Your everyday life is when the biggest memories are made, the happiest smiles appear and the truest laughter is heard. It's always my goal in every session to make you cry when you see your pictures. I know that sounds Awful, but What I hope is you love and treasure those images and memories made so much you cry happy tears.
xo, Lindsay