The Value of Portraits
In this blog, I wanted to discuss something I think is extremely important. The value of documenting your and your family’s story with portraits.
The reason I bring this up is because of the sad but true story of Mary*, a client and good friend of mine. Mary tragically lost her son Shannon soon after he contracted meningitis. Shannon was just 16 years old.
It was, of course, a devastating loss to Mary, Shannon’s sister Kate, and all his friends and classmates. It was also painful news to me.
It was just a few months before Shannon’s death that I photographed him for a sports portrait. And this was not the first time. Mary had always taken pictures of her son, even when he was a child. The fact is, she had photo albums filled with memories of his first steps, his first day of school, and the many years he played sports.
So it was no surprise when, a few weeks after Shannon’s death, Mary called to request the photos she hadn’t selected from this last session. In addition, she also asked for all images not selected from our previous sessions. To her, these photos now took on a very special meaning and were something she felt she could not live without.
She then explained that after losing Shannon, looking at his photos is the one thing that brings her comfort amid her grief. She also told me through tears just how much each photo reminds her of the special bond she and Sharron shared, and of how much these photos bring back memories of joy, laughter, and happier times.
Her story, of course, broke my heart, and I quickly provided the photos. And it was through this experience that I learned some very important truths.
- Life is short, and we should cherish every moment with the ones with love.
- Portraits are a tangible connection to lives that will never be forgotten.
So, it’s with these truths in mind, I urge you to not wait until it’s too late to capture and preserve the most wonderful times of your life. Take pictures now, whether the occasion is big or small. It may not seem important now, but someday it will!
With You in Focus…
P.S. I spoke with Mary recently. Although it’s been a while since Shannon’s passing, Mary still cherishes every one of her photos. They are a constant reminder of the love she shared with her son and the beautiful life they had together. While she will always miss him, she finds solace in the fact that these photos provide a tangible link to a life that will always be remembered.
*Names changed for privacy.