Capturing Memories

 

 I am drawn to the elderly like some people are drawn to babies.  Growing up, I had my great-grandmother in my life for the first 33 years until she passed away thirteen years ago at the age of 96.  At that time I was busy with my career and starting my family but now, all these years later, I wish I would have taken the time to sit with her more, ask her questions about her life, listen to her stories.  I am lucky enough though, to still have my 90 year old grandmother in my life.  As well as asking her questions and listening to her stories, I want to capture the memories as well, so I now photograph her.  Her eyes, her face, her hands…they tell their own story, too. 

A year ago in Rangefinder magazine I read a very moving article on photographer Steve Bedell and how he came to photograph the elderly in a healthcare facility that he calls ‘the forgotten generation’.  The photographs he took were then given to the family members of those that were in the facility.  What a wonderful way to help keep the memories alive for the recipients of those beautiful photographs.

We’ve all taken pictures that have moved us, maybe even enough to give them to those who we know will cherish them.  Please share the photos that move you.  We’d love to see them. 

A picture really is worth a thousand words

My camera is always with me, quite literally, through the good times and the bad times.  Like everyone, I photograph my vacations or my family and friends, but I also photograph events that aren’t always so pleasant.  When my son, who has chronic lung disease, contracted the dreaded Swine Flu last October, my camera was with me.  There’s nothing worse than seeing your child, or any loved one for that matter, so critically ill and not being able to make it better.  The only thing I had complete control over was my camera, so through my lens I documented what was occurring.  It helped me tremendously but more importantly, as my son became better it helped him, too.  I let him take pictures which gave him a sense of control.  He took pictures of his nurses and doctors and of the medicine that he had to take; I took pictures of him and tried to use my photography to say for me what I could not put into words.  I didn’t know how people would react to my pictures of that event, but after viewing them a friend’s words said it best for me, you have such a gift for explaining emotion through your photography.  It was then that I realized that was exactly what I was trying to do.

Not all photographs have to be of such a serious event for us to experience the emotion of the moment.  Please share with us those photos of yours that strike a chord of emotion in you.  We’d love to see them.

Oh Christmas Tree

I use to be very picky about how my tree was to be decorated.  I would spend weeks looking for just the right ornaments and would always have some sort of theme for my tree.  Now that I have kids, that no longer is the case. Instead, there are homemade ornaments made my tiny hands from years past and special ones given to me by friends over the years.  I love them all and I love to photograph them.  However, that’s not always so easy.  Many come out blurry or they are overexposed or underexposed.  It’s taken me awhile, but if I take my time and do it right, I get some pretty good shots.

If you’ve tried to take photos of your ornaments but it’s just not working for you, Me Ra Koh shares a great, step-by-step tutorial on her blog that is extremely helpful.  Give it a shot and share with us.  We’d love to see the ornaments that make you smile. 

Magic of the Moment

My grandma was, and still is, a strong-willed woman and the family matriarch.  She’s cranky and crotchety at times, and at 90 years of age, she’s entitled as far as I’m concerned.  I have so many memories of her that fill my mind. It’s hard for me to see her age and I constantly wonder, will this be my last Christmas with her? 

My 9 yr. old and 13 yr. old boys are her pride and joy.  When I’m with her, she tells me that she’s tired.  I’ve lived a long life.  I’m ready to go, she says.  But then get my boys around her and she perks right up. I think they’re what keep her going and that’s a good thing.  I’m not ready to let her go, not yet.

When it came time for my Christmas card photo, I definitely wanted to use her in the photo.  When I was trying to figure out what would be the best way to position her hands and the ornament, my 9 yr. old came to the rescue. Mama, I know how I want the picture to be.  I’ll put the ornament in her hands and help her hold it with my hands.  So he took the ornament and gently placed it in her hands and then just as gently, placed his hands with hers.  The lump in my throat was huge.  It was truly a magical moment, one that I will cherish forever.  

Please share with us the magical moments of your life.  We’d love to see them.

Story and Photograph shared by the newest regular contributor here at Shutter Sisters, the wonderful Chris Sneddon (aka JeroldsSis) of Everyday Heartbeats. We're so glad she's here.