I have one photograph with my maternal grandfather.

JUST ONE!

For years, in my memory, it was a photograph of me sitting with him on a park bench. I was little, and he passed away when I was two years old.

But when I went looking for that photograph to use in this article, I discovered something that stopped me for a moment.

I had remembered it wrong!!!

It wasn’t just Grandpa and me. My cousins were there, too. We’re all gathered around him in the park … this little group of grandchildren surrounding our grandfather. Somehow, over all these years, my memory had changed that moment to just the two of us. Finding the photograph has made writing this article and that fuzzy memory even more meaningful.

My grandmother on that side of the family passed away before I was born, so I never had the chance to know her. And because my grandfather died when I was so young, I don’t have many real memories of him either. Crazy enough, I think I remember the smell of his Old Spice. Every once in a while, I’ll pass a gentleman wearing that scent and instantly flash back to my grandfather. I really need to ask my mom if he was an Old Spice kind of guy!

On my dad’s side, I have one photograph with both of my grandparents together and only a handful with my grandfather.

That’s it.

And as I get older, those childhood memories get a little fuzzier and I realize just how much I wish I had more photos with my grandparents.

Even the memories I thought I remembered clearly aren’t quite what I thought they were.

That’s one of the reasons photographs matter so much to me. They don’t just show us what people looked like. Sometimes they give us pieces of our own story back.

Maybe that’s part of why I’ve always felt so strongly about photographing children with their grandparents.

The Thanksgiving Photograph I’ll Always Be Grateful For

When my own children were born, I was determined that they would have photographs with their grandparents.

Now, you would think that being a professional photographer would make this easy, right?

HA! Not exactly.

My parents could give me quite a bit of resistance when I pulled out the camera. My mom would complain, argue, and try to get out of it. My dad was usually happy enough to go along with whatever I wanted.

Thanksgiving 2019 was one of those occasions.

I insisted on getting a photograph of my parents with my children. My mom wasn’t thrilled about stopping everything for pictures, but I wasn’t taking no for an answer.

We took the photograph.

The following summer, my dad passed away.

That Thanksgiving portrait became the last photograph we have of my mom and dad together with their grandkids.

And you know what?

I’m so glad I insisted.

Today, my mom is glad, too.

That photograph means more to our family than I ever could have imagined when I was taking it.

It’s so much more than a picture of everyone together. It’s a connection to Grandpa. It’s something my children and their cousins can look at when we talk about him, something that helps keep those stories and memories alive.

And that is a gift I never want to take for granted.

Sometimes the Most Beautiful Traditions Are the Simplest

One of my favorite grandmothers who comes to Cloud 9 Studios lives with her daughter and granddaughter.

Three generations, all under one roof!

What I love about this family is that whenever they come to the studio for the little girl’s birthday or Christmas portraits, they make a point of getting photographs together.

It’s not a big production. It’s simply part of what they do.

And over the years, we’ve captured so much more than how that little girl has grown.

We’ve photographed the relationship growing right along with her.

I absolutely love seeing the twinkle in Grandma’s eyes when she looks at her granddaughter. And you can see just how much that little girl adores her grandmother.

There’s so much love in that family.

Imagine what a beautiful collection of memories they’re creating. Not just portraits of a little girl growing up, but photographs showing her surrounded by the people who love her.

Someday, she’ll be able to look back and see that love for herself.

Four Generations and 100 Years of Love

Not long ago, another one of our wonderful Cloud 9 families came in for a celebration I won’t soon forget.

Their grandmother was turning 100 years old!

One hundred!

And the family wanted to celebrate this incredible milestone with portraits.

We had four generations together.

And let me tell you, Grandma was spunky!

I loved watching her surrounded by the people she loves, seeing everyone together to celebrate this remarkable woman.

Just think about everything she has experienced in a century of life.

She lived through the Great Depression, witnessed humans walk on the moon, and watched the world change in ways most of us can hardly imagine.

But what struck me most wasn’t everything that had changed in the world around her.

It was the family gathered around her.

Four generations of people whose stories were connected to hers.

How incredible is that?

And what a gift for the youngest members of that family to have photographs with their great-grandmother as she celebrated her 100th birthday!

Those are portraits that will mean something for generations to come.

You Don’t Need to Wait for a Special Occasion

Here’s something I hope you’ll take away from these stories.

You don’t need a 100th birthday, a big family reunion, or even a holiday to create meaningful portraits with grandparents.

And you certainly don’t need everyone to be wearing the perfect outfits or looking directly at the camera in every photograph.

Start with the people and the relationships.

Photograph Grandma reading with her grandson. Grandpa getting a big hug from his granddaughter. The cousins all piled together with their grandparents. Or simply three generations standing side by side.

Think about the different combinations you would love your children to have someday.

And if you’re already planning a birthday or Christmas portrait session, consider including Grandma or Grandpa for a few photographs.

Sometimes, making it part of something you’re already doing is the easiest way to make sure those memories are captured.

Growing Up Loved

At Cloud 9 Studios, I talk a lot about helping children grow up loved.

And part of that means helping them see, every single day, just how many people love them.

Parents. Grandparents. Great-grandparents. The people who make their childhood what it is.

If you’ve been thinking about having portraits created with your grandchildren, I’d love to help you plan something special.

Our Grandparent & Me Portrait Experience at Cloud 9 Studios in Wesley Chapel is designed to celebrate those relationships, whether you’re including one grandchild or bringing multiple generations together.

Learn More About Our Grandparent & Me Portrait Experience

With love,
Jeanine