Photographs... the gift not appreciated until years later

Pictures, photos, images…. memories.

Photography is one of those tricky things that no one truly appreciates until years later.

Think about it.

How many photos do you have on your phone? Probably a lot. It’s easy to grab your phone or camera and snap a picture of an event, family outing, or just about anything.

But do you really appreciate that picture right then and there? Probably not.

My Grandparents in 1942, New Orleans, LA

My Grandmother recently sent my Mom home with a huge box of old photos. My Grandma loves photos, she loves memories, and she really loves a printed photo. One she can physically hold in her hand and appreciate. Hence the big box I know have sitting in my living room.

With the box of photos given to me to sort, catalog, etc., I’m getting a glimpse of my Grandmother’s life through pictures. I found photos of her and her husband from when they were married and early in their marriage life before their 6 children. I found photos of my Aunts and Uncles when they were children. I found photos she’s kept of various family members from 20+ years ago when all my cousins were kids. I even found photos of her ancestors, one dating back to almost the Civil War.

It’s truly a fountain of memories shoved into a box!

That box of family portraits and candid photos is a treasure to me, but it got me thinking.

My Grandfather’s Grandfather Capt. Richard J Walsh

Photos aren’t truly appreciated until years have passed.

Why?

Because not until time has passed can we look back at photos and correlate all the memories and emotions that go with them.

Facebook’s ‘Memories’ and ‘On this day’ is a perfect example! Facebook brings up photos from 5, 8, 10 years ago when you first log open it in the morning to remind you of something you posted years ago. The photos it brings ups most likely stir those memories and emotions making you smile at something that happened years ago.

That’s the power of photos!

It’s also the downfall of photos.

It is the one gift no one truly appreciates until a significant amount of time has passed.

As a photographer, I want to capture those moments and memories for you and your family to look back on and smile. I want your family to remember those family portraits when everyone was freezing outside, but you all put on a brave face to have your family photos taken. I want you to remember how small your children were when they were newborns! I want you to remember your wedding day or that family reunion which only happens once every 10 years. I want to give you those memories!

In other words, have the photo taken!

There’s no time like the present.
The present is a gift.
Treasure it.
Capture it.
Because once it’s gone; it’s in the past.

And if you’re able to, print you family photos! Even the corny candid ones! Your children or grandchildren will appreciate it!

Emily Ingalls is a professional photographer. She specializes in family and children portraiture, lifestyle newborn photography, and school and commercial photography.