Most families have professional portraits taken when their kids are little. Some do it once or twice, some come back for more every year… but usually, at some point, it stops. Why? Maybe because teenagers aren’t as cute as kids, and they can object! Perhaps life is just too busy and there’s not as much time together as a family. And then all of a sudden, they’ve left home…
It was wonderful to photograph this family. They haven’t had portraits done for many, many years, and they see the value in capturing this time. This time, right now, is always the right time. This time, right now, doesn’t last. This time, right now is just as beautiful and special and important as the day you got married, the day you became a parent, and the day your first child started school.
Apparently smart phones are becoming one of the biggest problems of our time because they’re stopping us from living in this time, right now. I believe that’s because we’re too busy, too tired, too stuck in a cycle where nothing changes, and we’re all desperately seeking something more. We want more meaning, more thrills, more substance, and so we distract ourselves from this time, right now, hoping to find it.
Here’s the thing. We’re focusing on the wrong stuff. This time, right now is more. This time, right now is all you need. Putting things off until tomorrow, next month or next year is too risky. All we ever have is this time, right now.
As a portrait photographer, I witness a lot of families and couples honouring, enjoying and celebrating this time, right now. It’s a very beautiful thing.
