Take a Picture — It Lasts Longer

This post is written to all of us ladies who won’t get our picture taken. To those of us who want to wait until we lose a few pounds, get a better haircut or buy a nicer outfit, our families need photos of us. Let me tell you a couple of stories to make my point.

During World War II my grandfather was an electrician stationed in San Francisco. He lived there with my grandmother and their young daughter (my mom). They were very far from their home in Louisiana and very far from the family they loved, especially considering my entire family — great grandparents, great aunts and uncles, cousins — all lived together during the depression years leading up to the war. Knowing how homesick my grandmother was, my great-grandparents sent her a very special gift, a professional photograph of themselves. It’s one of my favorite photographs. My mom used to tell me that she remembered the day her mom opened that gift; my grandmother cried tears of joy to have that picture of her parents. I grew up seeing it on my grandma’s bedroom wall for years. My great-grandmother had wrinkles, gray hair and was built like most women in their 60’s–that is to say she was beautiful. I don’t know what she saw when she looked at that picture before she mailed it, but I know what my grandmother saw. And I know what I see: crinkly eyes that look like she smiled all the time, a soft lap to hold crying grand babies and an absolutely amazing 1940’s hairdo!

I have always loved photographs. Growing up I probably got out the photo albums once a week. I loved looking at the family pictures and remembering the events they commemorated. I have photos of my mom with no makeup and her hair not done and I have photos of her poised and posed for the camera. I never once heard her say no to having her picture taken; even though she agonized over her weight, wrinkles and hair every day of her life.  Every picture of her brings a smile to my face, especially since she is gone now. In fact, the photograph of the pretty lady in the cedar box on my logo is my mom.

In that spirit I decided to get as comfortable in front of the camera as I am behind it. I’m used to telling folks how to lean or where to put their hands, but even I’ll admit that it’s awkward staring into that blank round circle of the camera lens. But, my family needs to see me in my 40’s. Someday these photos will remind them of what their mom looked like when they were 14, 12 and 9.

Your family needs photographs of you. So stopping worrying about how you look; see yourself through their eyes.

Go make some memories today, and be sure to take pictures.