I remember that feeling when Abuelita Tini got up to her room. Her fragile hands were carrying a big suitcase, probably from the 70’s or so. Inside were hundreds of prints, photos, and polaroids from her lifetime. She elegantly displayed it over her bed sheets, and her kids and grandkids surrounded the scattered treasures.Each print with a slight wrinkle and some even faded colors. Her whole life was displayed before me. I saw her at 17 just before when she met Victor’s grandfather. I saw her when she got married in a white dress and cathedral length veil and Victor’s grandfather in his groom’s suit and tie. The story then segued to Victor’s dad and uncles as babies. Some pictures of them dressed in their school uniforms and a picture of Victor’s dad, Papa Chene, in his teens eerily identical to Victor. I was touched the most when I saw a picture of Victor’s mom, 6 months pregnant with him. I’ll never forget thinking, ‘Wow, she’s carrying my future husband there.’ And just like that time froze. That moment never was forgotten. That moment never lost. I was able to know Victor in a way that I could never before.

That was one suitcase. One part of all that she lived. I remember feeling more grateful to be a part of the Rodríguezes. I remember all the laughter and some sighs in the room. Victor’s uncle grasped on tight to some pictures of his passed dad, staring profusely through his eyeglasses to a reflection of time.

That moment moved me so much that I was determined to start printing like never before. All the digital memories could never compare to that brief moment in that room in the middle of Guatemala City. This was her history book, and each photograph narrated a chapter of life and growth. I thought, what would my kids say about the lost iPhones with thousands of gigabyte memories in 20 years from now? How would I feel if all my precious memories were corrupted and lost into the abyss of virtual nothingness?

Family heirlooms can never be replicated or replaced. Moments in time are shortly lived and can never return. But what if? You’re able to relive these memories in a flip of a page and not a scroll. What if Instagram and Facebook are not the ‘social’ ways of connecting to one another in 15 years time and double tapping a picture doesn’t necessarily mean you saw it, appreciated it and moved on? For us printing wedding albums or creating prints of loved ones is insurance. An insurance to claim this moment happened and it will stay. It’s a validation of love, beauty, celebration and transition. Honestly, it’s also one of my favorite parts of my journey as a photographer. Printing is a tangible experience. It’s proof that I was here and in some was a part of the beginning of a legacy.

Whether it’s the celebration of a union of two people, a life milestone or just celebrating who we are as people today, it’s worth investing. Our albums are truly the icing on the proverbial wedding cake, as we like to say. The folio boxes that we offer are the traditional way albums came about. They adorn and compliment each image. These bindery products are museum-archival-quality ensuring an experience and conversation with the future generations from now. We’re so grateful that many of our clients believe in this.
If you’ve been a past or current client and would like to start the album-making or folio box process contact us. We’d love to create your new heirloom. {Mention this post and get a little something extra!}

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