Let me refresh you on the importance of having photos to pass down. When I was younger, we had disposable cameras. If we had a special event coming up, we would go to the store to purchase a disposable camera with a set amount of film on it. As the special event was taking place, we would ration our shots – spread out our shots so that we would capture the important moments. Then we’d drop the camera off at the store and wait days to get it back. The best day was going to the store to pick up the prints. We didn’t know how they would turn out until they got developed at the store!

Then the most important photos (which would typically be all of them, since there were only abut 25 anyway), would end up in a shoebox under my bed. To this day, I still have a shoebox or two full of photos.

That’s very different than today’s instant photography world. Now, I have over 10,000 photos sitting on my camera roll. Will I get any of them printed out? Probably. Maybe between 5 – 15 to display on the walls. Maybe a few more to print out and keep. Since I have a newborn, I am challenging myself to print more photos. I want to make sure I have photos to pass down. Here’s why.

Technology Changes

This almost goes without saying. Technology, especially these days, changes so much. When your child wakes up 50 years from now, will they still be able to access the photos you took for them with their current technology? Will USBs still be around? What about the Cloud?

Technology also fails. Many things are made to only last a certain amount of time.

Print Photos that Matter

Print photos that have you in them. That show the love you have for your children. Regardless of how good you think your hair looked that day. Think about the photos of you and your loved ones, especially any loved ones who have passed away. Did you care about how perfect they looked in the picture or were you just happy to have a picture of them?

Put them in a shoebox or a special place. Start a collection for your kids. They will cherish it someday!

Display Your Photos

Displaying your family photos actually builds self esteem in children. It gives them a sense of where they come from. They can look around the house and be reassured they they are in a family that cares about them. It provides them with a sense of security. Think about the first day of school, whether it be for a toddler, preschool or Kindergarten. Many teachers will ask the kids to bring in photos of their family to keep around. Why? It gives them a sense of security. They can look at those photos when they’re having a rough time and it brings them peace.

If you don’t have any displayed in your house, I encourage you to consider it!

I know we all have busy lives and this can become just “one more thing” to add to our to do lists. But I assure you, it’s once thing that will be worth it in the end. If my house was on fire, you know the first thing I would grab? My family photos from my childhood. I can replace everything else. I can’t replace those.

Today, I challenge you to stop putting it off. Start that shoebox. Your kids will appreciate it someday.

< Back to Blog