Mother and daughter Alanna and Bethany hadn’t necessarily been dreaming of doing a photo session together, but an opportunity presented itself and they took advantage. Alanna told me later that she’d had no idea what to expect, that she’d never done anything like this before. Both women admitted to moments of doubt, but the images created show the beauty in their closeness to each other.

Every year at the local Art Beat festival, visitors to my booth stop to comment on the photographs of the individuals and families I display. They say out loud how much they wish they could have images like that for themselves. When I ask why they don’t, the most common response is something to the effect that they just don’t. They don’t have the time; they don’t think they are photogenic enough; they haven’t thought about it; they have thought about it but just haven’t gotten around to it. There’s always next month/next season/next year/next milestone.

But professional photographs don’t have to be created only when there is an occasion or a milestone to be celebrated. A photo shoot can be its own event. The images capture a moment in time. They freeze our relationships as they are in that instant. Then they become tangible memories that bring the emotions of the past to our consciousness. The photographs become more than just pictures. And their value only increases with the passage of time.

I don’t know when the perfect time would have been for Alanna and Bethany to schedule a photo session if they had not had this opportunity. Actually, I don’t believe there is a single perfect time for anyone. I’m so grateful this mother and daughter had an opening and took it. I believe they will remember the day of their session with big smiles and even laughter. And when they look at their images, I hope they see, as I do, a tangible representation of the affection they have for each other.