Today would have been my hubs 39th birthday. It’s hard to say that because he didn’t get to live his life. His grandmother passed away last Sunday and the funeral was Saturday. I know he was there to receive her with open arms. He has some of his favorites up there in heaven so I know he is loving his own personal Prince and MJ concert. Today I’m sharing some of my favorite pictures of my husband and why capturing the moments that last a lifetime is so important.
When my mom died I found comfort in the many pictures that she took throughout my childhood. Pictures that I had no idea she took. Pictures that I didn’t want her to take but she did. Pictures that I didn’t even remember but looking at them brought back a flood of memories. Every now and again when I get sad over my mom’s death I get to look back at pictures. Pictures that reminded me of the good times and the person I was at the time she took the photo. Isn’t it funny how you can snap a picture today and 10 years from now the two people in the photos can be so different? I always encourage people to take as many photos as you can. Snap pictures of your loved ones and try to take at least 2 photo shoots a year that are professional shots. Trust me as you get older you will want to look back and see the growth and remember the times in that particular photo. You may not remember the date but you will remember the moment.
When my husband and I first got together I had a little point and shoot camera. I admit I didn’t use it as much so a lot of the photos of him and I were taken by my mom (she was the real photographer). She always had a camera in her hand. What’s funny is when I had my first son I didn’t realize she took pictures of me holding him. Had it not been for her I would not have any photos of my son when he first was born. The same can go for my husband….he never wanted to take photos. Most of the photos I took of him during our marriage were done with him not knowing I took the photos. I can count on two hands where he actually stood still long enough for me to snap a photo and usually it wasn’t of him smiling. He would mean mug most of the time or hurry me along saying he didn’t have time to take photos. The funny thing is though that time…..it now stands still in the photos I took. He is no longer with us but we have so many photos of him that I am so glad I went against his wishes and took all the photos that I could.
Capturing the Moments that Last a Lifetime
Taking photos of loved ones should be something that you regularly do. Find a photographer to do a document a day in the life of you and your children. Find a photographer to take photos of you no less than twice a year (preferably when the seasons change). Take photos of your husband or the people you love often so that you can always capture the moment and make it last a lifetime.
Here are a few personal photos of my hubs and the kids. Funny how we hardly had any pictures of us together.
This was taken during Easter.
We went to Callaway Gardens and the hubs never knew I captured this photo. It now sits on my son’s nightstand as a memory for him to see daily
One of the rare photos of us all together. His friend had to make us take the photo. This one truly represents what I mean by capturing the moments that last a lifetime. My kids and I cherish this picture.
This was taken on his last Fathers Day with us and it’s the photo that was plastered all over the news and online.
My son and his dad. This photo is on a chain that my son wears around his neck everyday.
She was always a daddy’s girl. She was young when he passed so she doesn’t remember a lot but I keep photos around anytime she wants to look.
The last trip we took and he actually smiled and allowed me to take the photo
Please take photos of those that you love daily. Keep it on your phone, in your dropbox, or on your blog. Also, (I need to take this advice myself) get in the photo more. My mom had millions of photos of me but she was hardly in any of them. Take the photos even when kids are not cooperating. They make for the best candids anyway. But sometimes kids cooperate for pictures and the results are true memory makers.
When was the last time you did a photoshoot? Have you ever had a camera follow you around for a few hours and did a day in the life type of photoshoot? I might do one with a friend during spring break so I can show you all how I live life daily through photos. Remember that capturing the moments that last a lifetime is important and make sure you’re a part of the photos too. Get in the frame.
27 Comments
robin rue
March 19, 2018 at 11:52 amNow that you mentioned it, I took A LOT of comfort in old photos after my mom passed. Now all my pics are digital, but I think I will print a few out 🙂
Amber Myers
March 19, 2018 at 12:31 pmI love these photos. I’m glad you have them to remember your husband by. I really do need to take more photos with me in them. I take lots of pictures of other people!
Jay Colby
March 19, 2018 at 12:50 pmGreat photos! Capturing those family moments are so important for long lasting memories. .
candy
March 19, 2018 at 1:17 pmI am one that really doesn’t care to have their picture taken. After reading this I am going to change my attitude about this. Taking photos is very important. Wonderful reminder.
valmg @ Mom Knows It All
March 19, 2018 at 1:20 pmYou are absolutely right. People we love can leave us at any time and all we have is memories and photos. I wish I had more photos of my grandparents, back in those days casual photography wasn’t really a thing. And I do need to get int the photos more.
Kenya @ Kenya Rae
March 19, 2018 at 1:46 pmThis is a great reminder and i am about share this with my husband because he, like your husband, stay mugging at the camera or trying to avoid it. We do t like to think of a time our loved ones won’t be with us but we never know. Thank you for sharing these beautiful family photos and your story! 💕
Ola
March 19, 2018 at 1:50 pmMy goodness Kita… what an incredibly touching post. I hate taking photos. Hate it. But for the very reasons you’ve listed here, I should probably try to take more. I’m so terribly sorry for the loss of your beloved husband. The Bible promises a resurrection of our loved ones, and a day when every painful “tear will be wiped from our eyes”. (Rev 21:3,4) What a day that will be!
Terri
March 19, 2018 at 2:10 pmThis post brought tears to my eyes. Such beautiful family photos. My husband and I were just thinking about doing a photoshoot for our 5 year anniversary next month but never thought to do a day in the life photo shoot. Like your husband, my husband hates standing still for photos. Looking at the photos in this post made me happy that I go against his wishes and snap a photo anyway.
Tracie
March 19, 2018 at 2:40 pmAwesome post and I know your kids will forever be grateful to have these images of their father! I’ve always had a thing for photos even when I don’t think I look my best, I appreciate being able to look back and recall a specific memory. Photos are one of the best ways to tell a story and capture life’s moments.
Lisa
March 19, 2018 at 3:42 pmWe do lots of family photos but there are not near as many candid shots now as there used to be. I need to break out the camera more often.
Tasheena @ SimplyTasheena.com
March 19, 2018 at 7:13 pmKita you have such a beautiful family. Too often I forget to be in photos. I’m always making sure that I capture those moments. I have to do better at being in photos as well.
Karen Morse
March 19, 2018 at 10:04 pmThis is why taking photos are very important. I’m glad you have a lot for the kids and you to look at every time you miss him. It’s never easy to lose someone you planned to share the rest of your life with.
Jenn @ EngineerMommy
March 19, 2018 at 10:06 pmThese are wonderful photos. Taking plenty of pictures is something I do every day. I actually need another external hard drive to store all of them.
Jenn
March 20, 2018 at 12:17 amWhat a beautiful blog post. These photos are really sweet. I’m sure your kids are going to always enjoy the photos and memories that you share with them.
Franc Ramon
March 20, 2018 at 12:50 amIt’s really touching how old photos reminds us of lasting memories. It’s really nice to look back and can bring tears and warmth in our hearts. Life is all about the moments.
Jacqui S
March 20, 2018 at 3:42 amThese are great pictures! I had gotten out of the habit of taking pictures, but, I’m getting back into doing that. Need to keep family memories alive somehow!
Carol Cassara
March 20, 2018 at 5:08 amPictures are very important and that’s why I also make an effort to take as much as I can even when I don’t want to or when I’m feeling a little lazy. I think it’s awesome that you guys have different pictures with and of your husband that you got to keep for the family to cherish.
Leslie
March 20, 2018 at 9:51 amSome people I know would say..you take alot of pictures. Now I’m the one they know has all the photos of everything because I believe in capturing the memories. I think doing a photoshoot in the Spring would be good to do and I love how you honored your loved ones in this post.
Joanna
March 20, 2018 at 10:25 amI take sooooo many pics of my family and friends. A few years back I didn’t even realize I didn’t have pics with my mom and my sister took one of us.
Tomiko
March 20, 2018 at 12:38 pmI only had a few photos of my brother and I when he passed and I hate that.. my daughter and I take plenty of photos and just never think about your loved one might not be here
chubskulitrose
March 20, 2018 at 1:07 pmYou have such a happy and good looking family! This is such a nice place to explore with kids. .
Farrah less
March 20, 2018 at 1:30 pmMy sincerely condolences to your hubby, family will always lift your spirit no matter how tough the situation is. I love collecting picture, and put it in the album. When I feel down of I miss someone I love i look at the old picture and remembered those happy times that we are all together.
Sandy N Vyjay
March 20, 2018 at 2:05 pmPhotos are like moments frozen in time. Always a great way to relive the moments of the past. People leave the world physically but always stay alive in the memories of loved ones.
Ana De- Jesus
March 21, 2018 at 1:22 amIt must have been hard to lose so many loved ones in such a short space of time but your strength pours through your words. I like how you take comfort in the photos you shared and the memories that you made. Memories are precious and even when our loved ones are no longer here, we can still remember them in our hearts. I think it is so sweet that your son wears a photo of his dad on a chain, that is so touching. You are an incredible woman.
Vanessa Palma
March 21, 2018 at 1:49 pmYou just made me want to set up a professional shoot with my family. It really is a gift to be able to look back and see the memories captured. And it’s so special when you can look back and know you have a photo of loved ones lost.
Elle (CleverlyChanging)
March 23, 2018 at 2:17 pmThank you for sharing this special tribute to your husband’s legacy. I know it can be hard to look at the photos now that he is gone, but also comforting at the same time. I love that your kids have a tangible photo to hold dear. I think the advise you provide is important for all of us. My husband is the one who is the family photographer so I am encouraged to document his relationship with his kids more.
My tools for coping with grief beyond therapy - It's Really Kita
July 13, 2018 at 6:01 am[…] camera to capture the moments. I didn’t pick it up as a way to make money but to help me keep memories that change over time. I did a video on that a while back to showcase why and how I use my […]