The Importance of Family Photographs|Turning 13

February 17, 2016
What happens between 3 and 13? A lot!?
What happens between 3 and 13? A lot!?
Emily at 13.?I love how you can see both the little girl she was and the woman she's becoming.?
Emily at 13.?I love how you can see both the little girl she was and the woman she’s becoming.?

A wall in my grandmother?s house was lined for decades with high school portraits of the six siblings. A set of black and white senior portraits, each one cementing a moment before they embarked into their adult lives.  Even from an early age, I recognized how important family photographs were to my family. I always marveled at how young my mother and all my aunts and uncles looked in those black and white images.  They were an endless fascinating record of their youth.  

Time goes by faster than we realize.  I’ve been photographing Emily since she and her brother were born.  Here’s a throwback to a few of those family portraits.  As she turned 13, her mother it was the right time to make another portrait in celebration of officially becoming a teenager.  Her godmother took her out for a night in the city, to see Blue Man Group and have dinner at Jacob Wirth. 

Here she is ten years ago, same blue eyes both beautiful and piercing
Here she is ten years ago, same blue eyes both beautiful and piercing

This was a quick studio portrait session making use of midday natural light.  She was, as she always has been, a natural in front of the camera. 

Family photos become part of the lives of children, and eventually grandchildren.  Generations will have access to these prints.  Generations will wonder and will know a part of their past.  Family portraits are a gift that connects us to our past and to our futures.  It is important to see ourselves and to know that we are valued for who we are, who were were and who we will become.  They increase in value every year.     

Her brother jumped in a few with her. ?These are two of the most agreeable teens I know.?
Her brother jumped in a few with her. ?These are two of the most agreeable teens I know.?
for reference, this is her brother ten years ago. ?
for reference, this is her brother ten years ago. ?

And I recognize how amazing my job is – to be part of making visual records for loving families.  These images become historical documents.  We use photographs as a way to remember.  I am honored to be part of making a legacy series of portraits of Emily and her brother as they grow up.  

Do you want to record your family’s life?  Contact me to book your Boston family portrait session!


RELATED POSTS

SHARE THIS STORY
COMMENTS
EXPAND
ADD A COMMENT