The Stories of Pictures

With my job I deal a lot with people. I sell cameras, process pictures and with so many people new to digital photography I am always helping someone at a picture kiosk processing photos.

Photos are memories and sometimes all there is left. Even when I had my photo studio I would meet people and hear their stories. Many times, heart breaking and other times very enjoyable. With every pictures comes some type of emotion and life.

My favorite photography was senior pictures, children and/or pets. I always gave the time we needed. Working with teenagers would sometimes take time just to make them feel relaxed. After all, they had never met me before and sometimes were uncomfortable. Especially with the guys. Most were there because mom made the appointment. My hunting and fishing stories often came in handy. I would bring that up and a lot of times they'd open up and share those adventurous stories.

In my ten years of business I swear there was at least one teenager killed in some type of accident or death after I had taken their senior pictures each year. That was rough, even for me. I would eventually contact the parents with a sympathy card and offer the negatives, CD and copyright which they always appreciated. I always felt God had sent them to me for a reason.

Now in my present job it is usually the older people that finally get a digital camera and need help with the ordering. I really enjoy talking with these people. I hear some good stories and see some awesome pictures.

Today I had two older sisters scanning copies of an older sister that had passed away. They were making pictures for family members and for a collage at the funeral. This is another common project that occurs a lot. They were just black and white snapshots of her younger years starting from when she was a baby. A story with each picture. They were handling the situation well but you knew they just wanted to share which I enjoyed.

Later I had a short little lady wearing a Steelers hat which at first I did not realize it was to cover the baldness from chemotherapy. This lady was just making one copy after another and had many questions. she was so excited and for a very good reason.

This lady had a terminal cancer and also had a bucket list. One of her listing was to meet Gloria Estefan. Her friend had written a letter but they never heard from her. They had gone to a Steelers game in Florida somehow knowing that Ms. Estefan would be there. Since they had not heard from her they were hoping to somehow find her after the game.

I believe God brings people together for reasons. Before the game they had run into Ms. Estefan, explained the situation. Ms. Estefan had just received the letter the day before and remembered it. This lady took this sick woman and her friend up to her room in the stadium and treated them both to heaven. This sick lady had so many pictures she was just high on life.

My point to this story is how my job involves me so much in peoples lives. It is a blessing and as my aunt and father used to say, I have the gift of gab. With pictures you are brought into other people's homes, lives, etc. I see so many cute photos like pets and children. I get to travel the world and then there are pictures I prefer not to see but that is always a part of anything in life. There always has to be a goof ball to throw in something stupid.

My job keeps me down to earth and at times makes me realize how lucky I am. Lucky to have a job and lucky to meet people.

When the cheery lady with the cancer was leaving I wished her the best with the cancer and said to keep up her faith. She smiled and said back, "They gave me two months last year. It's still not taking me yet. I have more on my bucket list." She wants to meet the Steelers. I pray for her that she does.

Yes God does have us here for a reason. I believe one of mine is to share and that is a blessing. As for the sad pictures with stories. They are still worth sharing if it helps someone feel better for awhile.