Get those Photos before it’s too Late

I love personal projects and preserving my family’s story is so important to me.  When I started thinking about capturing meaningful images I thought of my 84 year old dad.  He has been building kitchen cabinets in his workshop and I knew that this was the perfect place to photograph him!

While I was in Florida for Thanksgiving I finally got my chance to take these photos. I believe that it’s so important to capture the people we love doing the things they love. You not only tell a story but you capture the mannerisms that are unique to them. Putting them in their natural environment takes all of the pressure of a posed portrait session away.  All they need to do is do what they normally do.  I found that when I shared these photos with my family they were all moved, some even to tears.

When I look at these photos the feelings of profound thankfulness pour over me.  I’m so glad that I was able to capture these moments.

Be your family’s historian through your photography. You don’t need fancy gear, just get those photos before it’s too late!  You and future generations will be so glad you did.  I’d love to hear about your own personal photo projects that preserve your family’s story.  If you have links please feel free to share them!

He created these plans himself and I love all his handwriting on this.
This is the perfect example of capturing someone’s mannerisms. My dad stands like this all the time!
When I saw the clock in his workshop it made me think of time passing and of the time we have with those we love and how precious it is.  I know it might seem a bit melancholy but I couldn’t help myself.

Capture the things they use everyday like these glasses. When my dad tossed his glasses on the workbench I remembered how my grandmother kept my grandfather’s glasses after he passed and when I would look at them it just seemed like they were waiting for him to put them on.