Capturing Family Memories ~

Our daughter and son-in-law just had their Fourth of July party a few days ago. It was a spectacular event, and our SW Missouri weather cooperated beautifully; after a couple of weeks of brutally hot and humid days and nights, a cold front moved through, making the atmosphere bearable and pleasurable.

As dusk fell on the group gathered at the big pond facing south, where trailers of fireworks waited. I snapped pictures of the kids running around, their laughter like a chorus of joy. They were eating watermelon, juice dripping down their chins, and jumping in and out of the wading pool, their splashes sparkling like diamonds in the evening light. But…

I realized that I hadn’t taken any photos of the grand event: tables jubilantly laden with burgers, hotdogs, and all the trimmings, a feast fit for a joyous celebration. The festive 4th of July decorations was strategically placed welcoming guests with vibrant colors and patriotic pride. The DJ played memorable country and rock music, each note weaving through the air and etching memories into our hearts. Groups of people sat in the shade, visiting and laughing, while children darted about, their energy infectious.

And it’s too late. Those moments are gone, slipped through my fingers like grains of sand. It reminded me that family photographs are more than just pictures; they are fragments of our family history, pieces of our lives that we can revisit and cherish.

Here is a list of monthly suggestions I gathered from several sources. Add your creative ideas to snap your way to a bulging family photograph album. Don’t wait; the moments of your life will be gone in the blink of an eye.

JANUARY: Capture the kids bundled up to go outdoors, icicles hanging like nature's chandeliers, people sledding down snowy hills, snowmen with carrot noses, the ritual of taking down holiday decorations, marshmallows melting in hot chocolate, bowls of steaming soup, and comforting chili with all the trimmings.

FEBRUARY: The excitement of the Super Bowl party, the love in the air on Valentine’s Day, kids creating their valentines for school projects and friends, heart-shaped cookies, basketball games, sports events, and cozy scenes of kids in pajamas.

MARCH: Photograph your favorite Dr. Seuss books, children lost in the world of those stories, kites soaring in the wind, your vehicle covered in the first signs of spring, trees blooming, flowers sprouting through the ground, playing in puddles after a rainstorm, and baby animals frolicking.

APRIL: Capture those beautiful prom moments, Easter celebrations, new Easter clothes, religious activities, more baby animals, egg hunting, rainbows, rainy days, umbrellas, rain boots, St. Patrick’s Day activities, your pets, flowers peeking through the dirt, and the excitement of soccer and baseball games.

MAY: Document Mother’s Day events, your mother’s hands, your grandma’s hands, Cinco de Mayo celebrations, the last school day, graduation day, cemeteries adorned for Memorial Day, outings at the park, flowers in full bloom, family working in the garden, and gardening tools.

JUNE: Take photos with your dad, your grandpa, outdoor sporting events, kids playing in the yard, barbecues, garden flowers, animals at the zoo, your feet in flip flops, picnics, scenes around your hometown, weddings, fishing trips, and camping trips.

JULY: Capture the essence of county fairs, summer fun, baled hay in fields, water fights, swimming pools, outings to the creek, people boating and floating, farm fields, family reunions, camping, gardening, flowers in window boxes, trees, glasses of iced tea, ice cream and snow cones, watermelon, fireworks displays, parades, pet parades, flags flying, and a child holding a worm or a bug.

AUGUST: Document family reunions, fresh corn on the cob, farmers markets, summer sunsets, vacations, reading a book, pitchers of lemonade, back-to-school shopping, people riding bikes, back-to-school night, the first day of school, your children’s teachers, and the night sky filled with stars.

SEPTEMBER: Capture the first day of fall, visits with grandparents, apple-picking, football games, football workouts, cheerleaders, fresh-baked cookies, families in sweaters, the mailman delivering mail, your schoolteacher, your hometown buildings and shops along the street, and the courthouse square gazebo.

OCTOBER: Photograph the trees and hillsides in their autumn glory, trips through the hills and hollows, hayrides, pumpkins, corn mazes, scarecrows, kids jumping in leaf piles, homecoming celebrations, Halloween parades, haunted houses, pumpkin pies, trick-or-treating, and farmer’s markets.

NOVEMBER: Document bare trees, baked pies, geese flying south, animals in the barnyard, scenes along a country drive, family gatherings, Thanksgiving dinner, dogs and kids playing outdoors, home decorations, church activities, and family members around the table.

DECEMBER: Capture the first snowfall, winter activities, community service events, trees laden with snow, home decorations, people decorating their homes for the holidays, Christmas and holiday cards, caroling, trimmed trees, mantles with stockings, packed shopping bags, holiday candies, holiday flowers, vintage blow mold plastic holiday decorations, cookies left out for Santa, New Year’s Eve parties, friends sharing laughter, holiday shopping, and family members taking a nap.

One final thought: after you snap your amazing photos, be sure to label them with complete data of who, where, when, why, and how. Remember, life is short, and the amazing times we share with family and friends are fleeting.