I have been mulling this blog post over in my mind for several weeks. It was like a faint whisper at first, and then it turned into a shout that the universe would no longer let me ignore. So, I started small. Instead of creating a full-scale post, I did a short carousel post on social media that outlined my thoughts and vision for this content. The post asked a very poignant question:

What would you pay to preserve your memories forever?

Meer moments after submitting the post to social media, I fount out that my grandmother had passed away. And I found myself in this very empty space realizing that I no longer had any living grandparents left. I felt instantly shattered as my words, posted only minutes earlier, hit me like a ton of bricks. Every memory I could think of came flooding back to me. I immediately dug out a giant box that I store in my office closet containing decades of family photos, and relived each moment through the faded, Kodak-paper prints.

The Currency of Memories

The immediate value of photography is not always seen by people. The return on investment (ROI) can be hard to determine because you’re living the experiences that make up your everyday life and making mental memories. You don’t often see how valuable the photograph is in the immediate moment. It isn’t until you see your friend using a photo of themselves right before they found out that they were pregnant for the first time, taken at your wedding, as their profile photo on social media; or until your baby takes it’s first steps that you become grateful for those precious first photos in the hospital. The ROI becomes very apparent when the photographs are the way that you relive your life together when a loved one is in the hospital or in hospice care. And when someone is gone, the return is glaring because the photographs are all you have left of them. In the realm of photography, memories are the ultimate currency. These moments, frozen in time, serve as a tangible representation of your family’s journey. The laughter, the embraces, the little quirks that make each family unique — these are the treasures that appreciate in value over the years. Investing in family photography is essentially an investment in your family’s legacy.

Time Flies. Memories Stay

I dreamt of being a mother most of my life. I loved children so much that I chose a career where I could easily surrounded myself with them until I could have babies of my own. Choosing to be a teacher fulfilled a need in me that I didn’t fully understand until I had kids of my own. But nobody can prepare you for how quickly those days turn into years. Before you know it, that tiny baby that you nervously brought home for the first time grows into a toddler, then a kid, and then a teenager right in front of your eyes. Children grow up faster than we can fathom, and before you know it, those once tiny hands and infectious giggles transform into something else entirely. Capturing your loved ones right now is an act of freezing time, creating a visual time capsule that allows you to revisit these precious stages whenever you wish. The return on investment here is immeasurable — reliving those moments and sharing them with future generations.

Emotional Wealth is the Gift that Keeps on Giving

If you’re anything like me, you have photos throughout the years all over your house — on your walls, on bookshelves, and on desks or windowsills. I love seeing the memories of my beautiful life throughout my home and office. It reminds me, daily, of what is important. It brings me joy to see my babies and husband, and it reminds me how much I have been loved throughout my life. Beyond the tangible photographs, family photography generates emotional wealth. The joy captured in a candid family portrait, the warmth of a shared gaze — these images become a source of comfort and connection. In moments of nostalgia or during challenging times, flipping through these photos serves as a reminder of the love that binds your family together, providing a substantial return on the emotional investment made at each session. Unlike material possessions that may lose their luster over time, family photographs gain sentimental value. They become heirlooms passed down through generations, creating a legacy that transcends the immediate moment. The ROI extends far beyond the initial investment of a photo session; it becomes a gift for your children, grandchildren, and beyond.

So, What Would You Pay to Preserve Your Memories Forever?

In the realm of family photography, the return on investment is measured not just in monetary terms, but in the priceless moments and memories that endure. As a family photographer, my mission is to emphasize the enduring value of capturing your loved ones right now. Each session is an investment in the intangible, a commitment to preserving the heart and soul of your family’s story. So why wait? invest in your families memories today and reap the dividends for a lifetime. After all, in the end, all that is going to be left of us and the beautiful lives we’ve led is photographs. So, what would you pay to preserve your memories forever? The question is easy to answer for me.

Interested in learning more about my Family Photo Sessions? See link: Embrace the Art of Family: Seattle Family Photographer.