Archive for the 'Family Portraits' Category

Printing Photos

April 16th, 2009 by Bryan

I would like to consider this my first real blog entry. I haven’t really had anything to say but to be honest, I haven’t given it that much thought either. Most of these photographer blogs are “the couple was so in love and the day was amazing,” and then they show some pics. Now there is nothing wrong with that, and we love to have those posts up too…. But I think sometimes there is more to offer.

Back in February, Jackie’s close friend from high school was home on leave from the Army. They had scheduled a photo session with a photographer from this program, Operation Love. The photographer flaked on them so Jackie asked if I could take some photos for them. Without thinking I said of course. I had met them a few times by then and he is a great guy with a smile that lights up a room. His wife is so cute, and they have a 19 month old son who is adorable. The session was great and we got some beautiful photos. I felt a little sad though because I knew the little boy hasn’t been with his dad for 6 months and they were so cute together. They loved it! It was easy and quick hour of photography. And that was that…hugs and kisses all around and a “see you in June.” (When he was done with his deployment)

Little did we know Capt Brian “Bubba” Bunting would be tragically killed in Afghanistan two days after he returned from R&R. This was such a sad loss for all of us who knew him. At the viewing, his wife came up to me and said it was the “best gift they have ever received, and that they will treasure the photos of Connor (the son) and his dad forever. I can’t thank you enough….”

Needless to say, we were all in tears as I looked around the room at the dozen or so photos they had enlarged, I was definitely glad we did the shoot. So I am not going to tell you how short life is, and that you should treasure every minute because that is cliché and obvious, or that you should call us right away to have your family photo done- that’s not the point..

But the message or the reason that compelled me to write is…that in our world now…the facebook, twitter, IPod, IPhone, Blackberry, Snapfish, Shutterfly world, most people-myself included, don’t print photos anymore! They take them, on the phones and with their digital cameras but rarely order or print them- except for my mother-in-law Wendy (she always has new photos up in her house). But the majority of people don’t, they post them on Facebook or email the images to friends. So what I realized is, and I am just as guilty as anyone else, we, the collective we, need to print photos not just keep them someplace in the cyber world. We should have daily reminders of the people we love at the best of times. How good do you feel when you get your photos up in a frame? And when your friends come over, you know they always look at your photos around your house.

So back to my point….whether it’s a snap shot from your digital camera or a beautiful family portrait from your wedding don’t put it off. Make yourself a print, or better yet give one to someone special and I promise they will love it. Back to my mother-in-law Wendy, a photo would be the best gift she could ever get, with jewelry coming in a very close second.

Now for my soapbox thought…..what we do as photographers isn’t brain surgery, but in a way is kind of is, we supply food to the brain to feed the memories and keep them alive.

Have fun, take beautiful photos and PRINT THEM…..

I would also like to make this blog interactive or as interactive as possible, if people have comments, questions, or a subject they would like me to address I would be happy to do. Please feel free to post and I will respond.

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Archive for the 'Family Portraits' Category

Printing Photos