Photography helps us tell the story of who we are!
Your mind is a powerful thing. Your behaviour, your habits, your mannerisms, your personality and who you are. It’s all learned as you navigate your way through life. Learning from experiences, sensations and emotions. Photography is a tool that strengthens this fascinating aspect of being human.
Record keeping, all the way back to the first cave drawings, cemetries, saying “I was here” is part of who we are as humans. Leaving a legacy for the next generation. A method of storytelling.
As a child I remember the joy when the photo albums and memory boxes came out.
Our brain can remember moments and replay them as if we are there. PTSD is a not so nice example of this. Any one of our senses can take us back, embedding the memory, even back to how we felt in that moment.
- Music has the power to move us.
- A place can take us back to a single moment.
- A smell can remind us of a loved one
- A photograph can begin a story of a time when…
My Story
My Dad was a joiner but his passion was creativity. His dream job would have been a graphic designer. He sparked a dream in me. I wanted to be an illustrator. I chose my career path but life had other plans…
While studying for my GCSE’s my father was diagnosed with cancer and following a 4 year long battle, during my art foundation, things took a turn for the worst. It was during this same art foundation course I found my love and passion for photography.
My final project was an art collaboration with my Dad, he shared his favourite memories from his life and I captured each location to capture his story. It was during this project I took the final photograph of my Dad.
It’s sad he is no longer with us but I am so grateful our final project together was a collection of his memories. Proud to win Best in Show for my display in The People’s Gallery of Discovery Museum, Newcastle (Summer 2005). But most of all to have these stories to share with my children.
This is my WHY!
Why are Photographs Important?
Photographs are story starters, a way for us to connect with the next generation, to reflect and learn who we are, who they are and how we got here. But they can also do so much more.
Photography can:
- Connect to our past
- Photographs remind us of people, places, feelings, and stories.
- Call our attention
- Photographs help us notice the things we miss in our everyday lives
- Defeat time
- Images can keep the memory of a loved one alive.
- Hold a moment in history for future generations.
- Be a witness to a tragedy or joy.
- Be a universal language
- Everybody can understand pictures, and the meaning can traverse cultures, generations, and communities.
- Document everyday life
- Smartphones make this easier, so get to it.
- It helps us understand our times.
Photography is an ideal medium to navigate ideas around humanity, connection, identity, memory, presence, experience, and intimacy.
Why is Professional Photography Valuable?
Photography is now more accessible than ever before. But a natural family photography session really brings everyone together, and reminds you of your love for each other.
“Photographers are the dedicated, passionate and sometimes half-crazy individuals who are willing to give their lives, to show us what needs to be seen, what needs to be known”
– Sarah Leen, Director of Photography, National Geographic
“Though I am a documentary wedding and family photographer and do not interfere into the activities before my camera, my work is still extremely subjective. Just by choosing my position, my lens, the moment, I create the story as I feel it.”
– Katrin Küllenberg, Photographer
But let’s not forget, we want you in your family album!
I’ve read that children feel safe, welcome, seen and loved if there are images of themselves in the family home. I love this idea and think this is something every family needs to know.
You see stories, memories and keepsakes are important. Life is short. Our humanity is what makes us beautiful. The light will never look or be seen the same again and neither will we. We will never have this moment again. So, let’s capture it!
“Professional Photography is sooo expensive!”
I’m not going to preach to you about why photography is valuable and what goes into business costs. I can advise on those unforgettable moments you want to cherish again and again.
Important Family Milestones to Photograph
The cost of living is rising. And with all phones having a built-in camera, photography is more accessible than ever. Capture those important everyday moments.
I do recommend investing in professional photography as often as you can afford. Be in your family memories, build the legacy and love for your children.
I have put together a list of important family milestones to capture:
- Engagement
- Marriage
- First Home
- Pregnancy
- Newborn
- Sitter
- 1st Birthday
- All birthdays are good to capture to record the passage of time but if you can’t stretch your budget be sure to capture their 1st.
- 1st steps
- Imagination Age – 3-8 years
- Pre-teen – 8-12 years
- I find its best to plan activities for this age group.
- Teen – 13-15 years
- You may also see their own creative flair, let them have input in their own photography. They may also be interested in learning photography themselves. It is important to show you still loved them through this hard and awkward age.
- Senior/Prom – 16-18 years
- Graduation
I also encourage you to invest in yearly school portraits, and of course holidays, memories and special occasions. This list is not exhaustive.
Display your Family
Children feel safe, welcome, seen, and loved if there are images of themselves in the family home. I love this idea and think this is something every family needs to know.
I offer a range of amazing products to display your family, add to memory boxes and create your family legacy. These can be great gift ideas too.
Now sadly because of the power of photography I have also read that the lack of photographs is something felt most keenly by care leavers, and even images of places they stayed can help them make sense of their own past and memories. No child should have to live without a connection to their past.
I would love to help.
If you are a Foster Carer and would like to chat more about this, please get in touch by using the messenger pop up to chat with us directly.
Ways to Save with LAL Photography
Here at LAL Photography I offer a range of packages to suit most budgets.
I also understand it is hard to invest in something you have not yet seen. So, you only pay your session fee in advance. When your images are edited to my unique style, I upload your images to your very own password protected viewing gallery. I will arrange a private viewing session where you can view your images and choose your package or products.
And understanding the importance of photography I offer other ways to save too:
- FREE Engagement shoot with every wedding booking.
- INTRODUCING our baby milestones bundle. Double the cost if purchased separately, not to be missed moments.
- 6 Photography sessions including
- Pregnancy
- Newborn
- Sitter
- 1st Birthday
- 1st steps
- + optional FREE breastfeeding session
- 6 Photography sessions including
- Oh and of course exclusive offers only available to mailing list subscribers.
If you would like to chat to me more about capturing your family or simply to connect, the easiest way is to message me on Facebook. You can use the link on my website or directly on Facebook.
Hi,
I’m Lesley-Anne, also known as LAL.
Our humanity is what makes us beautiful.
The light will never look the same or be seen the same again and neither will we.
We will never have this moment again.
So, let’s capture it!
Why Choose Me, as your Family Photographer
It’s your story and your legacy. It’s how I see your story through my lens.
I am one of a handful of photographers in my area and in the UK that showcase honest, authentic, everyday moments. This is my speciality!
I am noticing delicate, awe-inspiring moments and connection. I am seeing these with every family I am lucky enough to spend time with.
I want to share what I see with you.
I want you to fall in love with your family time and time again!