Value of a Photo

[gail]

I just wanted to share the importance of a photograph in case anyone ever questioned the value and worth of portraits they may be taking. This photo:



was taken in 1999. It is my sister, Karen, my brother, Rick and myself (it was the 90's..I have the bangs to prove it). This photo was never supposed to happen. In 1999 I was moving from home in Virginia Beach to Indianapolis. My sister and brother and I decided to take our boys (we all have boys) to Walmart (I know, Walmart?? right) to have their portraits taken together for our parents. After the Walmart photographer was done with the boys pictures (or maybe the boys were done with having their pictures taken) she said she had a couple of shots left on the film and did the 3 of us want to jump in and have our picture taken together. We actually had never done a "Formal" portrait together and so we jumped in...obviously none of us were quite expecting to do this by the way we were dressed and looked.
Anyway...I moved to Indy...then on this date, March 3rd in 2001 my brother was killed in a military plane crash over Georgia. This photo is the only one that my sister and I have of the 3 of us as adults together (where we arent goofing off at least).
Is this photo the most perfect photograph in the world? no...was the lighting the best? no Are we posed perfectly? probably not. But this photo means more to me than any other one I have. I am so thankful for that Walmart photographer who didnt waste those last few shots of film.
There is value in every photo..in every portrait. This one is priceless.

Thank you for letting me share.

[Kareen]

Photography is more than just taking a photo. It's a moment in time captured forever. It's a sad story but wonderful and uplifting at the same time. Thanks for sharing.

[Moira Brown]

Definitely priceless! Thank YOU for sharing, Big hug to you and your family

[paula goff]

Oh Gail, I'm so happy you have this portrait with your brother. It's a beautiful portrait.

[Zuzana]

Thanks for sharing Gail. Your words are very true.

[Liz (fotomama)]

wow! thank you for sharing....it is a beautiful portrait and has wonderful meaning behind it...(hugs):)

[Jessica]

Very touching. :) Sorry about your brother, but at least you'll remember him and this day, forever.

[Courtney]

What a wonderful point made. Thank you for sharing this with us. It's a fabulous story and I am glad you didn't let the walmart photographer waste the film too.

[Gillian]

oh wow! what a lovely story! I'm so sorry for your loss but pleased that you have such lovely memories :) hugz

[katy]

Thanks for sharing and helping us to understand perfection is not always required for a photograph to be valuable.

[Jeni]

Thank you for sharing your story! So sorry for the tragic loss of your brother, but glad that you and your sister have this special and priceless reminder of him and of you as siblings!

[Meredith Jones]

So true, photos are such a special way to remember. Thank you for sharing your story.

[karenann]

What a treasure this photograph is . . it is priceless. Thank you so much for sharing this photo and the story with us.

[Teresa (pocketmouse)]

I am sorry for the loss of your brother, but am glad that you have this photo of the three of you to remember him by :) A touching story, thank you for sharing. :)

[bkb in the city]

Gail this truly does prove the worth of a photo. Thank you for sharing this with us. It is amazing how things work out. Nice tribute to your brother by posting this today

[Alex Greenwood]

So glad you have this photo. In the days of film cameras, I used to find that saying you have a few shots left on the roll that you have to use up was a good way of making people more comfortable having their picture taken, rather than making a point of saying I want some pictures of YOU! I got some good people shots that way, that I wouldn't have got otherwise.

[Jan Hall]

As you say, it is priceless. Thank you for sharing your story.

[Paul]

Thank you so much for sharing this. It has put my day back into perspective. Priceless

[Brendan Maunder]

Too true. too true.

[Lisa]

A very precious portrait indeed!
I am so sorry for the loss of your brother, thank you for sharing.
Each photo is a memory captured.

[gail]

@kareen @moirab @paulaag @zuzana @4stories @amoment @cfitzgerald @kwiksilver @grammyn @jenirainbow @copperheadglass @karenann @pocketmouse @bkbinthecity @vertbois @jantan @wardie @agima @mummarazzi
Thank you ALL for your kind words...and taking time to read and comment. Sharing about my brother is always cathartic...but I really wanted to remind everyone how important and relevant every photo is.

[Chun-Han]

@gailwf Thank you for sharing your precious story, it was so touching to have the privilege to have read it. As @mummarazzii said each photograph is a memory and it should be treasured.x

[gail]

@crimper_chun Thank you so much for your comment.

[Dragonfly Explorer ( Rhoiz )]

Thanks for sharing Gail, I was moved. I'm sorry for your brother. I lost my brother too and never had any picture with him. You are lucky to have one.