How Would You Like to be Remembered?

When it’s time for family pictures, are you a Mom that says not me, just the kids?  One day your children and grandchildren will look for photos of you and what will they find?  Do you become self-conscience of your looks when it comes to photographs and hesitate to take family pictures?  As a Northern Virginia family photographer, the most common response I hear is “I need to lose weight”.

Why is weight an issue?  Your family looks at you everyday and still love you regardless of your size.  When life happens, your family members will want to see and hold a picture of you and they won't be thinking about your weight.

This past week has been a difficult experience for my family.  My maternal grandmother passed away after a long full life.  Death is hard for families regardless of whether it’s expected or unexpected.  However, the pain of a family members loss seems to hurt more when we’re looking around our parents home, calling or texting other family member hoping to find a picture of our lost loved one.  This was the case for my family this past week.  There was a lot of scramble to find pictures.  I’m not sure about your family, but my Grandmother was one who refused to take pictures or if she saw you with a camera, she would hide or place her hand in front of her face; so, you couldn’t get a picture of her.  Why? 

As I reflect upon this and think back to all the times we had family gatherings, these were several opportunities to photograph her during happy moments.  However, she wouldn’t allow it.  These were moments where she could have been photographed with her children, grandchildren, and even great grandchildren.  Now those opportunities are gone, and we’re left with the regret of not having a picture.  As a matter of fact, the only pictures we find ones with her hand in front of her face or she's purposely looking away. 

The regret of not having a picture to frame.

As a Mom, I totally understand and can relate to not wanting to take pictures.  But one thing quickly changed my mind and outlook.  One day, my boys asked me to show them pictures of my family when I was young.  Sadly, I had to tell them I couldn’t; because my childhood family didn’t take pictures either.  I know it’s sad. 

Today as an adult and mom, I want to leave my children and grandchildren a legacy of how they looked as a child and how we looked as a family at the different stages of their childhood.  Therefore, I ensure we take family pictures at least every other year.  In addition, I ensure to get a framed or canvas wall portrait of our favorite image to have it hung on the wall of our home.  They appreciate having family portraits hanging in our home, but I know as they get older, they’ll appreciate these family pictures even more. 

Portrait taken by Kelli Brewer Photography

How would you like your family to remember you?  Do you want them to be able to access and hold a picture of you and recall all the different moments and special memories they created with you?  Don’t allow your family to experience the regret and sadness my family did this past week.  Let’s create a Legacy Wall or an Heirloom album that your family will look upon with smiles and joy for generations.  Contact me today at (571) 250-5073 or email me at [email protected].