I hope you will understand after reading this.. how truly important it is to get your professional photos done.
Recently I did an engagement session for this sweet beautiful couple. As we were doing the session we talked and of course I got to hear their sweet story of how they met doing something the both love.
They talked about this whirlwind romance and how much the were looking forward to their up and coming nuptials.
We had a really good time and I was really loving the way their photos turned out. They were so sweet.
So I did my usual thing. I went on with my photographers life and within the specified time period got their photos edited. They loved them.. but they were struggling with what to pick out.
So recently.. and I mean just about 5 days ago - I get another communication from bride to be and she is struggling. She is having an issue. She is not understanding. We are talking and she seems confused and out of sorts about what she wants. I really don't think too much about it. But in the back of my mind I am thinking.. 'it's really not that hard'. Honestly.. this is a smart young woman and I am perplexed by her confusion. BUT - We eventually get it figured out and she orders her photos and she apologizes for being so uncertain. I tell her not to think anything of it.. I knew we would get it worked out and we both go on our way.
So yesterday.. while doing a shoot someone calls and leaves me a VM. When all is done and I am back at my desk I listen to the message. It is from some stranger that I have never met and she is upset and asking me about this couples photos from their engagement session. Telling me that a terrible tragedy has taken place. Would I please call her. I call her. She proceeds to tell me that the bride to be has suddenly passed away from a fall where she hit her head. 3 weeks prior. She was under a doctors care and although she seemed outwardly fine she did seem confused and out of sorts.
And then had a brain aneurysm. She died the previous day. WHAT?!!
This person I have never met wants to know if I have any photos of the bride to be that they could use for her memorial service. I tell her that she has ordered photos that she has not yet received and would they like them. I verify that this is legit and get the woman's info so that I can help her in this situation. I also provide her with some additional photos to use at the service. She tells me the bride to be's family (who all live in out of state) and fiancé realize that they had little or no recent photos of her by herself. The fiancé gave her my phone number so that she could contact me. They are pleading with me to help them honor her through ANY recent photos I might have. So here I am.. and I know some of you might think.. hopefully you charged them for the extras. the answer is NO - I didn't. Does that make me a good business person.. probably not.. does that make me a compassionate human being.. I hope so.
This is all I can do for this family that I don't know.. but you know what.. it's the most important thing to them right now. They are grasping for any glimpse into this beautiful bride to be's life that they have missed. They are clinging to her memory. They are DEVASTATED! Even this stranger that called me is in shock and disbelief. She is so emotional but I can tell she is trying to keep it together. She tells me that they were to have dinner that night together as she hasn't seen her in a couple of weeks. She still can not grasp the reality that she will never see her again.
So why am I writing this post? Because sometimes.. it's hard being a photographer in this day and age. It's hard to convince people of the worth of a photo. The importance of a professional print to put on your wall or desk. I am a professional. I love my job. But like all jobs some days I wonder .. does anyone really care about what I am doing and how much time and effort I am putting forth to be the best I can be. Well guess what? This family that I have never met.. they think I am pretty darn important right now. They are turning to me to help comfort them. I am not trying to sound egotistical in any way.. I realize once again.. personally.. right now.. just how important my job really is. Look I barely know them and I was shocked and devastated - so can you imagine how this family feels! How her fiance' feels just a few months before their wedding? I am sure I can't even begin to understand.
so people.. please please please.. DON'T WAIT TO GET YOUR PROFESSIONAL PHOTOS DONE. life changes so fast.
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