There’s been a LOT of talk lately in the photography community about “Lifestyle” Photography – the art of capturing subjects in the essence of their being (thanks for that line Matisyahu). No props, no setups, nothing special – except their existence in itself.
A friend of mine sent me this amazing blog post by Elaine Palladino Photography titled “Why Photography Matters” – and something in it just hit home. A brief description of a photograph she took of her grandmother at her sewing machine – and the realization afterwards that this was the last time she’d ever sit in that chair.
“The fact remains that people die. And they get old and move away and families only come together a few times a year. Pictures, in the end, are all we have left along with a few scattered memories. Those, memories, however, are traitors. They betray us and before long even the strongest of memories fade. I still cling to those moments I had with her, still try to remember the sound of her laughter or the way her hand felt in mine. With every day that passes, those memories fade a little more. But when I see a picture of her smiling, I can almost hear the echo of her laugh in the room.”The truth is, we really never know when our final day will occur. Something in the beautifully written paragraph from her post above really touched me and inspired me to start shooting my own family a little more. I want to capture what every day in my crazy house is like… the messy faces after dinner, the pure excitement on my Chech’s face when we walk to the Park, even the angry crying faces when we refuse to watch Rio for the 100th time… I want Alexandria to be able to remember it all. Maybe not as a crystal clear memory in her brain – because that’s just darn right impossible – but through this blog. And through the numerous albums she’ll have of her life growing up with us as her crazy parents. I know her memories will betray her – so this blog is my gift to her. A peek into a part of her life she won’t remember, into our family’s life, and proof of our monumental and never ending love & enthusiasm for HER existence.
So I give you… Bathtime.
nico says
AHhhhhh.. I wish my bathtimes were this fun!! 🙂 This is wonderful. I know I always love going back and looking at pictures of my childhood – and she’s going to have some amazing ones to look at! What a lucky girl!
Amarticus says
lol Nico – thanks. 🙂 I can’t wait till you’re here and you get to BE in the photos. <3
John says
Thank you for stopping by my website. Your blog is fabulous!
Amarticus says
Thanks so much – Thanks for coming to visit mine as well! 🙂
Patrick Jones says
Adorable pictures! Thanks for sharing!
Amarticus says
Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Jordan Crick says
I absolutely love this philosophy of photography. I carry my camera with me everywhere now. Adorable pictures in your post too!
Amarticus says
Thanks so much!! 🙂