Why is it that some really good looking people (me!) come out looking awful in the family photographs? Honestly, my face seems to resemble a British bulldog chewing a wasp in just about every happy snap taken. And then there’s just the plain ugly like my uncle Pete, who looks like a real prince charming on film.
My sister's friend, bless her, looks nothing like her real self in print. In fact, she has a face like a crushed crab, but when I first saw a picture of her, I just had to meet this glamour puss for a date. I was over at their family home doing a spot of landscape gardening when the Mother came out with lemonade and the family photos album. I showed a real interest in the 'unattached' daughter, but by golly did I find my excuses to run when we got to meet up. Something to do with a migraine attack I think I said!
But good family photos of family members can be deceiving as most of the prized shots on display are taken by a professional family portrait photographer, and if these guys are first-rate at their job, they can make Cyclops look the eligible bachelor.
I don't know about you guys, but I can vividly remember those good old days when the whole family would get dressed up for those classic family photos? We all enjoyed and suffered the nit-picking of our parents on those yearly occasions when we all posed together. It's certainly a blast to dig up those memories of teen insecurities and zits, which made us the people we are today. Okay, maybe not so much.
But many folks can't stand the occasions and almost every family has at least one budding family photographer who is quite often a real pain in the butt. Alas, we can't avoid the dreaded family photos no matter how hard we try. Although as children we typically don't care for the brutal process of uncomfortable cloths and a fake smile, but as parents we learn an entirely new take on the process.
We all want good family photos to capture those times that pass us by all too quickly. It is one of our few methods of keeping in touch with those memories and joys of our past, which is why most folks these days have a least a few sessions over the years with a professional family photographer.
The happy snap shots are all very well, but sometimes I come out with a face looking like a British bulldog chewing a feisty wasp, which is why I shy away from the lens now that I'm getting lined and wrinkled. In fact it’s been so long since my Mom had a photo update of me, visitors to her house are beginning to ask why there are no pictures of her only son. There’s just something about my face on film that only a mother could love!
I recall as a child, or actually a teenager, which is more traumatic, having family photos taken every year. At the time, I had no appreciation for the occasion. I only knew that for some reason, unexplained, that my parents were making me dress up in cloths I wouldn't typically wear and pose for pictures. It seemed like such a hassle. Now, being a parent myself, I can certainly appreciate the desire for good family photos. This should be made an annual event amongst families. It's a great way to capture that particular stage in our lives.
My wife and I now take regular pictures of our family to capture those special memories. I am one of the lucky ones, because my daughter loves to have her picture taken. I just have to be prepared for a lot of protruding tongues and funky grins. It's all in good fun. You will actually appreciate these family photos earlier than you might think. I already look back at pictures and reminisce on those times that passed all too quickly. I am more than glad that I captured them when I could. I think it's always good to preserve these memories since we obviously can't get the times back. Life moves so quickly, you have to take action.
As a child my father told me if I was ever home alone and the house caught on fire, get out, but if you can, toss out the chest of photos with you. It's the only thing we can't replace. Of course I thought this was one of the weirdest things I had ever heard. Now, as a father myself, I completely understand and agree with what my dad was saying. It is a good idea to keep copies of those family photos in a box or chest, which is available if something should happen. We have to protect those memories of times we can't get back.
Of course, now that we are in a world of digital electronics, we can back up, store, sort and arrange our family photos with ease, and once you get the hang of it, it's really not that difficult and is a great and very inexpensive way to keep your treasured photos of family. You can even keep backups with other family members should anything happen to you collection at home and it'll cost next to nothing to do so. Happy snapping folks!
Family Photos. Love of Loath them!
