Yesterday, I listened to a podcast by Sean Low titled Meaning. I’ll link it here for anyone interested, but in summary, he talks about the distinction between marketing and meaning. We often use words like luxury, storytelling, elegance, sophistication, and documentary, but these terms lose significance without the value we bring to them.
This made me reflect on the true value of an image—a photograph. I believe a photograph only holds its real worth when we understand and appreciate the meaning behind it.
Just last week, I photographed a beautiful couple with their stunning horses. She’s a barrel racer, a businesswoman, and the love between her and her husband was palpable—it was every photographer’s dream. As we packed up, she mentioned, ‘If you see any images with my melanoma scar, please Photoshop it out.’ Melanoma is something close to my heart, so I didn’t ask too many questions, nor did I want to get emotional in front of her. A week later, she shared one of the photos with a caption about how exactly one year ago, she was diagnosed with melanoma. Now, she’s cancer-free and deeply grateful for life.
That simple photograph of her laughing with her husband and horses instantly gained tenfold in value. It now symbolizes so much more—another year of riding, chasing dreams, love, and gratitude. It’s no longer just an image; it’s a story of resilience, something they can treasure forever.
Another session I had this summer featured an extended family—grandparents, parents, and their two kids. It was a sweet, playful session at the beach. A few weeks after delivering their gallery, the family reached out, saying, "We’ll be in touch next summer when we’re up north again. You are incredible. This session made my day, and my parents'. My dad had a tough year battling cancer, but he’s now cancer-free. These pictures mean so much because they represent health and happiness."
The same sentiment holds true for maternity and newborn sessions, where the value of each image feels infinite. These moments capture a fleeting season—a whirlwind of emotions, somewhere between exhaustion and an unconditional love. We often hear how fast time slips away, how quickly life passes us by, but it becomes real when you witness, frame by frame, just how quickly your children grow. Each photograph preserves the tenderness of now, allowing us to hold on to what time tries to steal.
In moments of despair, joy, gratitude, or longing, we turn to images. They bring us back to a very moment in time we may otherwise not have had.
So, what is the value of a photograph? It’s irreplaceable. As a photographer, I don’t always know the deep meaning behind why clients want photos taken at a specific time, but when I do, I feel incredibly honored to be part of their story.
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