Why you should get the photos taken!

You see this photo? This is one of my most treasured photos ever, and it isn't even a very good one.It's out of focus, it was taken in a really dark church on a hot February day. There are family members missing from it, and I don't mean the other half of my Grandpa.The reason it is treasured, is because 3 days later my Grandpa passed away. This is the last photo we have of him; the last memories we have of him; the last time we all saw him. This is the photo everyone asked me to send them a copy of, regardless of how crappy it is.Now I'm not saying take photos because every story is sad and a little morbid (sorry!) like this specific one, I'm saying get them because they will be treasured. You may not know when, by who or for what reason, but photographs will always be a treasured possession.The motto I have lived by since, and kept close to my heart while starting my photography business, is"The value of a photograph is often not known until years after it is taken".And were there ever truer words?Have you ever spoken to someone who was sorry they had those photos of their newborn taken? Who wasn't glad that they had a family session done when their kids were small and carefree? Who wished they didn't bother with the wedding photographer who captured their young love, that love they had before the kids wore them down and made their eyes tired? Have you never sat listening to stories from a parent or grandparent of their past as they show you a collection of old photos?Get the photos taken people! They will be treasured always; by you and by everyone who loves you.