Don & Joyce // Couple’s Session
That’s how you know
When it grabs ahold of you and won’t let go
And you feel like she’s always been in your soul
And as time goes by she’s still surprising you
That’s how you know it’s true
When a new love feels old
And an old love feels new
//
Chris Young – Old Love Feels New
This session meant the world to me, because the people in front of my lens are two of the most important people in my life – my dad’s parents, my grandparents, affectionately referred to as Gramps and Grammy. They have an incredible love story of meeting on a blind date, getting married about 7 weeks later, and sticking by each other’s side through everything that life threw at them and celebrating their 57th anniversary last December.
Being able to capture the love that they have for each other was a dream come true. As a photographer, I am constantly capturing moments for other people. Photos that kids will look at in years to come as their parents tell story after story about their great-grandparents. Photos that capture the mischevious twinkle in someone’s eye or the way they always threw their head back when they laughed. These are the memories that I capture and preserve for other people, but this time? This time I got to do it for me.
I got to capture the way my Gramps always says “mWAH” as he kisses his wife, the way that Grammy lays her head on her hubby’s shoulder, the way that they look at each other, the way they laugh together, and the way they love each other. Someday, these are the photos I will show to my kids and tell them how Gramps never missed an opportunity to joke with a waiter at a restaurant, how Grammy was always humming, and how they used to take us grandkids on individual trips (most oftentimes to the beach because it was Grammy’s favorite place) and how special it was to get that one-on-one time with them growing up.
I left their session last week with tears in my eyes (that just kept coming back as I worked on their photos!) and a HUGE smile on my face. This, THIS is why I do what I do. Not for the magizine worthy photos, but for the real life love stories that are preserved for generations to come the second my shutter clicks. (Side note: Grammy gave me my first DSLR, so I have her to thank for helping me turn this passion into a full on business!)
Gramps + Grammy, thank you thank you thank you for putting up with my constant nagging and for letting me take these photos of you. My photographer heart is happy but oh my granddaughter heart has taken wings and is flying with the birds. You guys mean so much to me and I am going to treasure these photos forever. I love you both!!
