The power of photographs

On this  past Thanksgiving holiday I started to think about the power of photographs. I am thinking about why I think photos are essential and why I am thankful for them.

I’m thinking about the numerous photo albums I have in my basement. I haven’t picked them up lately to look at them, but I’m hoping to do that soon as the winter brings a slowdown in business. Why is it important to look at those photo albums?

They remind us of who we are and where we came from. I can pick up a photo album from any of the different periods of my life and instantly be taken back to that era. There are photos taken of me and my roommates while I lived in Wisconsin many years ago. I can look at the photos taken of me and my siblings when we were all young children and living in a house on Santa Monica Avenue in Lincoln.

Yeah – photographs make me nostalgic

I admit I’m a nostalgic person. These photos bring me back in time and send me to a happy place. I don’t mean that I’m not in a happy place now, but looking at past times reminds me of the life I have had and the happy times that are past. I confess – just the thought of all this brings tears to my eyes.

In my view, this proves the power of photographs. Photographs have the power to bring smiles, change moods and uplift spirits.

Have you ever been to a funeral where people are sad, wiping tears from their eyes? Then there’s the part of the service where a slide show is played showing photos of the dearly departed with loved ones in happier times. Frowns often turn to smiles. You start hearing some laughter in the crowd. That’s the power of photographs.

The power of photographs in my own business

As I think about my business – Lori Black Photography – I realize that my work can be powerful. I strive on every job to provide a product that is powerful. I want my clients to look back on my photos years from now and return to the happiness they felt when those photos were taken.

I’ve done several family photo shoots this year. I hope those families look back on their photos and remember what their lives were like at the time those photos were taken. They will certainly help them remember what they looked like at the time, but I hope they also remember that this time in their lives was special.

Same with wedding photos, which can be especially powerful. A husband and wife can look back on their wedding photos and remember the beauty and the happiness of the day.

That is the power of photographs.