09/07/2024
Don't shy away from the camera, because within its lens lies the power to transform how you perceive yourself and the world around you. Embrace the opportunity to look at what’s most important and seize the chance to cherish every precious moment captured in a photograph.
This becomes especially evident when you lose a loved one. Being the only photographer in my large family, I am usually the one who is called upon to gather photos of lost loved ones for their funerals. I have done this for my grandparents and for my friends and a few weeks ago, I had the immense honor of doing this for my sweet Mom, Barbara J. Leato, who passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family.
I was able to take old photographs of her, some up to 70 years old, and digitize and optimize them for printing. Even I was surprised at how good they turned out and I was overjoyed seeing them displayed at her service. My siblings and I were also able to contribute some of our favorite photos to her slideshow which is has quickly become my most treasured keepsake. Additionally, we've been comforting one another by sharing photos of her online and comparing our memories.
My Mom was never too keen on having her photograph taken but I always insisted. And boy, am I happy I did because photographs represent the legacy we leave behind and the impact we have had on the lives of others. By embracing photographs, we acknowledge that life is finite, encouraging us to make the most of every moment and to focus on what truly matters.
So, the next time someone wants to capture a moment with you, embrace it with open arms. Recognize the importance of documenting your life in photographs, as they serve as a time capsule of memories, a celebration of relationships, an acknowledgment of milestones, and a reflection on our own mortality.