Behind it all
Sometime in 2008, as my daughter was growing up, I purchased a DSLR camera it was a blast that I "never missed a moment" - I always had the camera with me.
In September of 2009, I photographed my dad and my daughter playing with dandelions on the sidelines of a rugby game. I loved the pictures of his hands and aging face. The expression on his face as he played with my daughter take my breath away to this day; they adored each other. When he was around, nobody else mattered.
Shortly after I took these images, I had the amazing luck to meet a photographer who became my friend and mentor. We met on Facebook that night and she commented on a photo from the rugby game. She saw the image of my dad and daughter's hands and said, "You will treasure that photo someday."
It is funny how a few words and a moment in time are forever burned in your brain. Two weeks after she spoke those words to me, my father passed away suddenly - there was no warning and no time to rewind. People always say that you "have the memories," and while that is not really comforting, it is somewhat true. I am forever thankful that I have the moments captured in these pictures, and so many more, to preserve my father for me and for my daughter; I never want her to forget how much he loved her.
With pictures, I can show her what words can barely begin to express.
My dad was a teacher (like me) and a contractor - he loved what he did and he was good....better yet, he was great. He cared about what he did, worked hard, charged a fair price and always made a friend in the process. After losing my dad, I threw myself into being behind the camera. It felt good to escape the heaviness and it felt even better to give to others what I could not live without - memories.
Well, that's why I do it. I do it for me, I do it for you, and I do it in memory of the wonderful man my father was. I miss him every single day, but somehow doing this eases a little of my pain and keeps his loving and giving spirit alive.