"Memories are timeless treasures of the heart." - Unknown
Memories, we all have them. Some are happy, some are sad and others are painful...
I often find myself reminiscing about my childhood with my four siblings. If I close my eyes I can still picture the day my siblings and I giggled and danced as the water from the sprinkler cooled our skin from the warmth of the setting Texas sun. I can remember the sweet smell of the magnolia tree in our front yard and the smiles on my parents faces as they watched us play. This memory is one that is stored in my memory bank while other moments are remembered by photographs. With my parents having five children, you can easily imagine the ridiculous amount of photographs my parents own. Some are of fond memories and some I would be happy to forget. In either case, photographs are memories. They remind us of what happened that day, and in most cases bring back treasured memories..
When I became a photographer, I truly had the desire to photograph memories that would last a lifetime. I wanted to capture my clients wedding and portrait sessions in a way that they could look back on and cherish. Whether it is a surprise proposal, pregnancy, engagements, wedding, graduations or the arrival of a precious babe, photographs were made to be memories - to freeze time.
This week I received some horrific news. One of my clients brother had died. JT was a young man who served in the US Navy. JT was 21. Needless to say, his death was a shock to all and beyond devastating. My clients had forgot all of their wedding photos at home which was hours away and were in need of them to create a video for JT's funeral. As I was reading the email/creating the online album, my mind instantly went to their wedding day. I can remember how happy everyone was. I recall JT being the life of the party, the apple of this brothers eye and a true joy to the whole wedding party. I never would have imaged that the images that were captured that day would the last time my client saw his brother. I wouldn't have dream that the family photos we took would be their last. I balled for a good hour after that realization. My heart is broken for my client and his family. Words cannot express how honored I am to have been able to capture their last memories together.
Photographs are memories. Photographers are memory keepers. This realization has never been or felt so real.
If you are reading this, please say a prayer for my client/friend Cody and his family. They need our prayers during this difficult time.
Much love,
-E
