When I was in junior high, we had a major fire in our home. I found the kitchen in flames and panicked. This was before 911, the phone operators were on strike and I didn't know the number of the fire department. (Did I mention I was in a panic?) I had to run to a neighbors to have them call the fire department.
During the chaos that ensued, my father (who had been sleeping) came running outside. But then he TURNED AROUND and ran back in. (Don't ever do this!) Seconds later he came out again carrying what? The 'picture drawer'. This was a drawer in which we stuffed all of our family photos, school pictures, etc. That's what he thought of. And I'm glad he did. Although the fire never reached that room and it escaped all water damage, every time I look through that drawer now, I realize what we could have lost.
Nowadays, we can back up photos on CDs and DVRs. But back then, there was nothing. What a history would have been lost if we didn't have those pictures of my sister as a baby or grandparents who have long passed away. Or my father himself, who passed away just a few short years later.
What did I learn from that experience? Besides teaching my child the # for 911 and to have many smoke detectors? It was the importance of photographs in both telling a story and keeping a history. Many people come into the studio with old pictures that are damaged. Family portraits from the 1900's. How lucky they are to have that history.
Did people do more family portraits back then? It was always a 'hassle' getting everyone ready and an expense out of the family budget. But, what an important thing for their children, grandchildren and themselves. And I'm sure they never regretted it. Would you ever regret the money or time spent on family portraits? I hope not. They can never be repeated. But chances are, they can be replaced.
