The Value of a Photograph

At a photography workshop, the presenter posed the question “Why did you get into Photography?”

The standard answer ran through my head…

“It started at the birth of my kids, and took over.”

That’s part of it…but that’s not it.

My passion for photography really took over because I wanted to show Women how beautiful they are at any size, shape, age, and stage in life.

Many of you know that I lost 90 some odd pounds 5 years ago.  I don’t have many photographs of myself during that time in my life because I didn’t feel beautiful or worthy.  Looking back, I wish I had.  As I flip through my old photo albums, years worth of pictures of my children growing up with the absence of their mother in the photos stare back at me.  My kids love me the same no matter what size I am.  Those pictures are for them just as much as they are for me and those who love them.  Why did I think being documented as part of their early childhood wasn’t important?  It absolutely is.

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned after losing the weight is that confidence, strength, wisdom, and beauty comes from the heart and it grows with age.  I used to believe that if only I were a certain size and weight THEN I would be happy and confident.  My confidence grew not because I shed pounds, but because I worked hard and I was proud of the work I put in.  I finally put value on who I was and I found beauty in the everyday.

If only we could view ourselves through the eyes of those who love us.  We are loved deeply.  We are cherished.  To look at a photograph of someone we cherish, we are taken right back to that time and we remember all the things we love about them.

There is so much beauty that lies within the story told through a photograph . To be able to document that story, is an incredible feeling.

The thoughts I’ve shared here, is the reason I updated my website Homepage slide show and the Galleries.

http://www.christinehopaluk.com/index2.php

If you are a picture hater and refuse to have your picture taken I would like to leave you with this thought.

The photographs aren’t only for you. They are for those who love you. You are beautiful and you are cherished.  The bond you share with those you love deserves to be documented. Your loved ones want to remember you just as you are.  Perfectly, Imperfectly, Undeniably YOU.

From my heart to yours,

Christine