Jonathan Zenor Photography

One of the real treasures of photography is having pictures of family that we can look back on.  Pictures of family have an odd attribute about them.  Unlike pictures of mountains, stars, or other landmarks, nobody really cares to see pictures of family except for other family members, and even then it is often just close family that will appreciate them.

That is kind of what makes them so special.  There does not have to be anything remarkable about the composition, lighting, or any techniques used.  In fact, when a nice technique is used those are the photos that draw in the public’s attention and they hone in on how nice of a picture it is, but when there is nothing “special” in the photo, that is where the real beauty comes out.  When we see a photo of someones family, everyone thinks “aww, that’s cute” and then they move on, but for those special few people that the photo has real meaning on, it is those people who stop to smile and really appreciate the photo.

Please do not get me wrong, I am not trying to critique or criticize anybody; I am just making some observations about human behavior.  Why is this standing out at me? Probably because it is 6 am, I am really tired and will be going to bed after I get this blog written so my mind is really starting to wonder in weird directions. (I write multiple blogs and schedule them to be release several days apart.)

Several photographers have said that when taking a photograph one should think about what story they are trying to tell by the photograph.  Me personally I just take snapshots of things I want to remember or something I think may look good as a picture.  But it does make you think. What story is being told by these photographs?

That is my wife, Danae, throwing some rocks that were on the side of the trail.  What story is there in this?  I’m not that creative to come up with much, but what this photo shows me is someone having a fun time, enjoying the outdoors (and maybe wanting to be just a little destructive).   I know they say a photo is worth a thousand words, but I struggle just coming up with 50 words to describe the story in a photo.

Here is my son, Malikai, copying his mom and throwing rocks off the side of the trail.  He had a great time doing it, maybe even more fun than mom had.  We had gone for a hike out at Ute Park this day and did a small loop around the park after being out for a while running errands.  It was a nice, relaxing time, especially when Malikai was wanting to behave.

As much fun as it will be for me to go to the Grand Canyon this year, or to visit Yosemite or other such places, and as much as it will be awesome to see the wonder of God’s creation, it is these moments, the ones with family doing things together that will mean the most.  Pictures of scenery and trees can be taken again, maybe not in the exact same light or season, but a similar photo can always be taken of scenery (Just look at the book Colorado, 1870-2000 for evidence of the same picture being taken 100 years later) but photos of family are the ones that you can never again capture.  Kids grow up, things happen, it is these photos that you will regret not capturing, or you will truly miss if something happens to them.  Seeing the smiles on the face of my 3 year old son as he throws a rock can never be had again… because now he is 3 years and 2 months old!

I guess what I’m ultimately trying to say is that as I get into this hobby and get my mind set on traveling to new areas to take photos, I can not forget about what is really important, my family.  Taking a lot of time to do things with them and to take photos while we go out to places will bring a bigger smile to me (and to Malikai’s grandparents no doubt ) more than any photo of a mountain range.  Even when kids are being stubborn and not wanting to continue walking on the trail and not wanting to be held (such as is the case in the above photo) a camera can still capture a photo that will mean more to me than all of my nature photos combined.

I guess the point of this long-winded post is to keep in mind what is really important in life.  Take some time from your busy schedule to look around at what you have and  to be grateful.  Spend some time with the family you have now, because they will not always be there.  And if you do have a camera, no matter if it is an SLR, Point and Shoot, or even a cell phone camera, take pictures of your family, and lots of them.  You will not regret it.

And if you are ever having a hard time, you will have those photos you can look back on to appreciate and enjoy.  It is those moments in your life, not your promotions at work or any other accomplishment, but those moments with the ones you love that will truly stand out to you and mean the world to you.  And even though others may pass right by those photos not knowing how special they truly are, you will know, and you will appreciate them.  Like a secret hidden in plain site, everyone will see it but only a few will appreciate and understand it.

A great photograph is worth a thousand words, but one thousand words that cannot be expressed as words, but as emotions, memories, and bringing to mind a spirit of worship towards God who gives us everything.

And by the way, this post is exactly 1,027 words

And I am sure there are 1,000 blades of grass in this picture….

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