How can we work on our own family history?
As a photographer, this has always been important to me.
I was raised seeing photos of my ancestors.
So I always knew who I was and where I came from.
I think this gave me a great sense of identity along with self-confidence
That I could leave a legacy as well.
We have journals and stories dating back to the early 1600’s
The paper smells of age and the handwriting is unique.
So what can we do today to build up our posterities treasures?
- Write
Studies show writing things down daily not only stimulates your brain, but
It also enhances your awareness to gratitude. In fact, even if the one thing you write down a day is just something you are grateful for, it really can transcend your day. Perhaps next month, we should create a
Month of Gratitude in November. But really, why wait?
I should start now as I’m 39.5 weeks pregnant and have a lot to be
Grateful for. My physical body that can produce this medical miracle.
My husband to share and cherish the responsibilities of parenting,
Along with the joys.
Modern medicine that keeps us safe and healthy.
Wow things already.
It’s not hard; it just begins with a goal.
So tell me, what are you grateful for today?
- Take photos of “have photos taken.”
I love that people love chasing the fall leaves for annual Family portraits.
And although I have a couple dozen clients for life that return annually,
This is not a family tradition I adhere to for myself.
Mostly because of family history and variety and uniqueness.
I always encourage people and families looking to deepen their roots in Family History by hiring a professional photography with experience in Photo Journalism, or documentary photography.
This is truly one of my favorite types of photography.
My wedding photographer is especially hired for her lifestyle photography, which has a lot of emphasis on documentation.
Capturing the Who
Where,
AND WHY is so critical to help your posterity identify with you, who you were and your personality.
When I began to understand and see that the majority of my dads brothers did ceramics and learn to jewelry make, those were the top classes I took in college, which eventually lead me to majoring in Fine ARTS which has been a great journey and experience in general.
- Create Experiences with your Family.
I would say, even as a photographer that creating experiences with your family is far more important than staged photos. Yes I do love all the Olan Mills images my parents had taken, but they have never outweigh the memories we created at the reservoir, camping and doing things as a family.
These two photos are of my ancestors Barn and chapel where they attended church each Sunday, which is a religious activity I still maintain with my family 100 years later.
If you can marry the 3 items I have suggested here, you will find that you are a great genealogist. Be sure to ask other siblings and family members to write your experiences of the same event. That is always fun to read.
Contact me for specific Family History Portrait Sessions.
Visit FAMILY SEARCH to get to know more about your family.