Should I Add Words to My Photo History?
Over the past few weeks, we've heard some amazing stories that go along with a single photo or two. The words photo history offers an opportunity to go further than an image. One of our friends mentioned that sometimes people want to focus on a special photo. He thought the story from one photo could be the most important thing to pass on to future generations.
This is a good question for Ask the Pixologist, and we thought we'd invite Kent Stolt to dive deeper into this question. Kent is a writer and personal historian. He explains why you should add words to your photo history. Next blog we'll share how to add words to your photo history.
By Kent Stolt
Based on what I've seen here at Pixologie, it is the goal of dedicated professionals to preserve and celebrate the most precious commodity any of us have: our legacy. And while nothing preserves someone’s life story more powerfully than photographs, there is another tool available when it comes to painting the fullest possible portrait of our lives.
The written word.
Five Reasons You Should Add Words to Your Photo History
Consider these five points:
- When it comes to preserving precious memories, any details big or small help tell the tale and bring the past back to life. Writing down names, dates and places to corresponding photographs can add an important element to preserving photographic memories.
- Memory alone can’t hold facts and stories forever. If not preserved in some form, the details of people’s lives will someday be lost; and once they’re gone, they’re gone forever. Along with photographs, having something in writing prevents the past from slipping away.
- Writing down brief, succinct descriptions or summaries of people, places and events will ensure future generations know the full story behind the pictures. It also helps provide a clearer historical context to the times in which people lived.
- Throughout history, men and women have depended on diaries, journals and memoirs to both learn from and hand down the wisdom that only comes from experience. Take the initiative and ask questions of loved ones and write down their answers. And don’t be intimidated, you don’t have to have perfect prose to tell a story well.
- Finally, be it pictures or words, nothing better expresses your sense of pride and gratitude toward those who came before you than taking the time now to preserve your family memories.
Questions to Ask
How did your parents meet?
What was it like growing up when they did?
What were their biggest joys? Their biggest challenges? Their most prized possessions?
Questions like these can open up the floodgates when it comes to sharing stories and memories. And again, there are the precious memories found in the details. Protect them from being lost. Write them down. Along the way you will be amazed at what you learn about the people you love. Based on my own experience, I know you will be glad you did.
Watch for a future post on project ideas to add words to your photo history!
Kent Stolt is a Writer and Personal Historian who has written several
biographies and memoir projects for clients. Among those was the memoir /
life story of his father entitled A Meaningful Part. He has also written numerous
business profile pieces for The Business Journal - Milwaukee.
Here's an example of a variety of military service photos in a blog - wouldn't it be great to know the stories for each one of these photos?
