Photograph your loved ones

A few days ago, I had to say goodbye to my dog, Tofu.
In a way, I was prepared for it, but I wasn’t ready.
I guess you can never be.

On the day it happened, my phone asked me if I wanted to create a separate album with pictures of my friend.
And yes, I now have hundreds (maybe thousands) of photos of that sweet furry boy in dedicated folder, which I scroll through at least couple of times a day, every day.

(Plus a few hard drives full of photos taken at home, and beyond, with a camera, obviously.)

These photos quiet the sadness and grief for my best friend a little.
Just look at him!

Some day, Your photos will be everything

If you think that in a crisis, when life will be tough, you’ll be watching these landscapes you once saw and photographed, you’re mistaken.
If you think, you will search for relief in your fine-art photographs, that’s not the case.
If you think your publications or following will matter, you’re wrong.

And if your house caught fire and you had a few minutes to grab your most valuable things, what would you take?

I assume only personal items and keepsakes. A box or an album of photos. Memories.
(If you don’t have any, I hope you know now what to do).

Take more photos of your loved ones

Take photos of your children not only on vacation. Also when they do their homework. Whenever. Even if they’re already adult and they might think it’s a bit awkward.
Take pictures of your parents on a Sunday walk. Or when you do groceries together. Or when you don’t do anything special.
Take pictures of your grandchildren long before they graduate. When they come over for cake and coffee. Or better - go and visit them yourself, and take a picture, or two.
Take pictures of your friends when you go out with them. Or when they have birthdays, get married, divorced, or with no reason. Take tons of pictures of them.
Take pictures of your dogs and cats when they lounge in the sun. Or when you walk in the rain. Again, pictures of them every day.
Take pictures of your partner not only when on a date with them. Do it when they laugh and cry. When they eat. Or while they sleep.

Yes, totally, take pictures of your partner while they sleep!

Some day, Your photos will be everything

Don’t worry if the light isn’t perfect, if the composition is messy, or even it’s a complete shit. Don’t bother if these snaps are blurry or out of focus.

Take them, and no matter how terrible or silly they are, don’t delete them.
And yet, when your loved ones want to take a picture of you, don’t cover your face. Let them.

You never know when these pictures will be everything what’s left.