Why photography is important to me

Eudora Welty, a photographer and Pulitzer Prize recipient, once said “A good snapshot keeps a moment from running away.”

​Ansel Adams, renowned photographer, said “A great photograph is one that fully expresses what one feels, in the deepest sense, about what is being photographed.”

For me, a photograph should evoke a memory, an emotion, or a reaction; it should bring old memories alive again. Whether it’s a family, business, or sports portrait, I want a photo which captures the essence of the moment. I want to be drawn into the moment the photo was taken, and to understand the subject at that moment – what were they feeling, what moment did the photographer want to capture, why was it important to the client or the photographer. Every photograph has a story, whether that story is as simple as “I liked the way that flower looked” or as complex as “this was taken at our wedding, and I knew at the time that this elderly family member wouldn’t be with us much longer”. I love real photos with a story behind them.

As a kid, I hated having my picture taken. As an adult, I treasure those old pictures because they remind me of all the memories and experiences I had. Even more so, looking through photos my parents and grandparents have and listening to the stories and memories they have creates a deeper connection to them, and helps to me to understand them so much more.

As a photographer, I want to capture photos that my family and clients will treasure. I want the photos I capture of my family to be real and substantive; and I want to be able to look back on them, to smile and remember that special moment. I want the same for photos I capture for my clients.

“Photography is a magical kind of art that allows people to preserve time and moments, and to describe the world as they see it.” – Sahara Sanders

So, why is photography important to you? What do you want or expect when you look at a photograph?