One of my cousins sent me this picture of all of us when we were little. It was the first time I met my cousins, the first time that I realized that I, an only child, had actual relatives my age, and that's me, in the blue stripy pants and unibrow, demonic expression in my eyes...looking mighty ploopy...pretty much the antithesis of every single thing I strive to give to my clients. When this picture made it's way to my email box, I first freaked out at the overall hideousness of it all, but then it started me remembering running all around my cousin Gary's property in upstate New York,with my cousins, Paul, Dougie, Heidi, Robert, and little Karen, marveling at the abundance of wildlife and skipping stones in the raging brook right outside. I found a little silver heart ring that my cousin had given me and told "cousin stories" to my girls and I realized that this is why I do what I do. You remember the moments, the laughter, the tears, best when you look back at your pictures. Hideous as they may be, you do.
So, if you have a choice, you might as well have great pictures to look back on. Go get your '70's plaid pants, burn them, then call me to photograph you and your glorious family. You'll have beautiful memories of this very special moment in your life for a very long time.
