Why what I do is SO important...

I knew this day would come sometime in my career as a photographer.  I had just hoped it wouldn't come just yet.  I had to print a portrait for a memorial service and my heart is heavy.  The father of one of my brides finished his 2+ year long battle with esophageal cancer yesterday.

I remember the twinkle in his eye as he walked her down the aisle on her wedding day and his willingness to do whatever was needed to make sure his little girl's day was special.  He adored his three children and they returned that adoration and love whole heartedly.

They came to see me again in the fall of 2012, after his first round of treatment for some updated portraits with him and as a way of showing their gratitude for each and every moment they had together.

And I saw them once more this fall you can see some of those images in this blog post.

This is Mark's Memorial portrait.  That same twinkle in his eye that I remember from his daughter's wedding.

This family reminds me of the true value of professional portraiture.  They remind me of what is important to each family I work with, what is important to my own family.  I know that my family wants pictures of me, of me with them, of the special moments that we share.  They don't care if I've gained 5 lbs (or 10 or 15), they don't care if I've put my make up on or wrangled every stray hair back into place.  They love me just the way I am and they love the time we have together and they love having pictures to remind them of all those happy times.  This family makes me wonder, how will my family be reminded of me when I'm gone?  Have I gotten into enough of the photographic memories?  Can we EVER have enough pictures of the ones we love?

Hug the ones you love.  Take advantage of every single moment.  Make memories and photograph them- get in the pictures yourself!  Your family will thank you for it, I promise.

My thoughts and prayers are with Elizabeth, Brittany, Derek and Jason as they face the challenging days ahead.