Portraiture is such a forward focused kind of photography. Sure, in the short run, you are getting pictures for the present, but in the long run a photograph can outlive you. The responsibility of the portrait is to say something about a subject even if there are no words to go along with the photograph.
I've previously written a little bit about modern wedding photography, but increasingly I am developing a new appreciation for making photographs that will hold value beyond the generation where they have been taken. What photographers are able to do these days is nothing short of remarkable, and if I'm honest with myself, I occasionally feel a twinge of jealousy when I peek at the work of some portrait photographers thinking to myself, "Wow! That is going to be something that bride and groom's grandkids are going to pull out someday and look at in wonder". Pinterest will provide plenty of trends, and trends certainly have a place in the development of well thought out photography, but there needs to be an element of realness at the foundation of any trend to make a photograph speak for more than 14 seconds on Facebook or a year or two years or five years or 40 or 60 or even 100 years.
It is exceptionally unlikely my photos will ever become iconic in the sense of gathering global recognition, but if they can become iconic within a family history, I know my work is a success.
Sincerely,
Thor
A photo of Grandpa Roy and Grandma Betty discovered in a box not long ago. Look at what this image captures!
Maybe this will become iconic to Christy and Nate's grandkids in 60 years?
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