How Photography Can Make Genealogy Come Alive
As I type this, I'm sitting at my grandmother’s dining room table, watching my boys decorate gingerbread houses with my mom as part of their Christmas fun. My dad is relaxing in the living room, and my grandmother is doing heaven knows what while puttering in her kitchen. One of the things I love most about this room (besides eating dinner in it, and the people I'm surrounded by) is that it's covered in photos of our relatives. My grandmother's parents, her grandparents, and her great-grandparents are all represented on the walls of this room, as are my grandfather's. We're lucky to have these photos because photos were once considered a luxury only the rich could afford. Cameras were extra expensive, and almost no one had them, but lucky for us, my family saw the importance of investing in photos of themselves, despite their lack of monetary wealth. Because of this, when I’m researching my family history, I have an easier time connecting with these people- suddenly they’re no longer just names on a page.
Genealogy isn’t just researching your lineage. It’s learning about the history of your family. I realize most people usually find history class boring, we've all had that one history teacher that was able to make history come alive. They weren't just a good teacher, but a great story teller- they could easily suck us into whatever the lesson was about that day. Now imagine that you're looking into your genealogy; your family history. How much more interesting would it be to have photos of the people you're researching? How cool would it be to be able to see that you have your great-grandmother's eyes? Or your great-great-grandfather's chin? Perhaps a photo of your great-great-grandmother will explain where your daughter got her blond hair, because, hey, no one else in the family currently has it. Suddenly, by seeing a photo of your long-lost relative, history has become real again. It no longer feels like you're disconnected from it. That relative of yours that died on D-Day? Suddenly his life becomes tangible to you. Your Great-Great-Great-Uncle who immigrated from Holland? His trials and tribulations are now yours. Your ancestors become relatable, especially when you see them in the context of their everyday lives.
Remember, though, that these photo galleries work both ways. Just as we treasure the photos of our ancestors, future generations will cherish the images we leave behind. How cool would it be for your great-grandchildren to look through your wedding album and see the joy and love captured on that special day? Imagine the excitement of your great-great-grandson discovering your high school senior portraits, marveling at your youthful spirit and the style of your time. Perhaps seeing these photos will inspire him to follow in your footsteps, feeling a deeper connection to his heritage.
Taking professional portraits is just as important today as it was back then. These images serve as a visual history, preserving our stories for those who come after us. The difference now is that having your portrait taken is much more accessible. With advancements in technology and the widespread availability of professional photographers, capturing high-quality images has never been easier. We have the opportunity to document our lives in ways our ancestors could only dream of, ensuring that our legacy is rich with memories for future generations to discover and cherish.
Let’s take advantage of this accessibility and make a conscious effort to create a well-photographed legacy. By investing in professional portraits, we’re not just capturing moments; we’re preserving our history, our experiences, and our essence for those who will one day look back and see a part of themselves in us.