Photographs, pictures, images, call them what you wish, they are in fact frozen moments in time.

From backyard performances, to birthdays, to vacations, to weddings, image that if lost are only available in your mind – like timeless treasures; and if not shared will be lost forever.

Hurricane Katrina victims were interviewed and many said; “I grabbed my wedding album and mortgage papers and headed for safety. “

So what do photographs mean to you?

It’s not always about capturing who was there and what they were wearing, it’s about the emotion, family connection, bond of friendship, a legacy, all captured in less than 1/125 of a second.

Caring for your images is just as important.

• Keep them out of direct sunlight
• Do not store them in a basement
• If they are important to have they are import enough to be cared for – maybe framed.

I encourage you to dig out that wedding album, pull out that shoebox of vacation pictures, and dust off all those memories.  Then share them with someone.  Invite your daughter, son, grandkids, niece and/or nephew over and share share share!

Some of my favorite images are of people I never met.  But I remember sitting at the table with my dad as he explained whom each person was and the importance they had in his life.

When my dad passed away 15 years ago the best therapy for me was going through my parents photo box and creating an album of images that documented his life – from beginning to end.  At the wake the album was passed around, flipped through, cried over; and enjoyed by everyone.

Images are powerful and every picture has a story.

Start telling your!

Dad’s are very important people, and like the song goes they can truly say “I loved her first”.   Maureen was ready to go to the chapel, anxiously waiting in the car for her dad.  When she saw him approaching she couldn’t help getting excited because she knew it would only be a few more minutes before they walked down the isle together.

Tiny little magnificent moments truly are a big deal.

Wedding days are the marriage of past with the future.  Sarah and Katie had been friends since childhood; always talking about when they got married how they would be there for each other.  Sadly, Katie had passed away a few years before Sarah even got engaged, yet she was honored at the ceremony with a sunflower bouquet.  The wedding day was Sarah’s.  But this moment – captured when Sarah bent down to share a moment with Katie – belonged to them both.

I will be the first to admit that I cry easy.  As a mother, the Father-Daughter dance is one of the most touching moments during the reception.  Dads are usually nervous because they don’t want to step on the dress or embarrass himself or his daughter.  But all those fears are swept away as soon as the the music starts.  He takes her hand, holds his daughter in his arms, closes his eyes, and in just a few short minutes he relives all the magnificent moments they had together as he watched her grow from little girl to beautiful bride.