Family Portraits Salem Oregon newborn, baby, couples

(I originally posted this two years ago, but came across it this morning and thought I’d post it again, since Father’s day is coming up.)

What you see here is one of only two professional photographs I have of my dad.  This was taken in 1943, and the other portrait I have of him was taken about two years before he died in 1983.  He was suffering from cancer in that one, and looked pretty gaunt, but I still treasure it because it’s all I have.

My dad was my mentor, my adviser, my role model.  In my teen and college years, we worked together; times I treasure to this day.  He taught me much of allowed me to become the person I am today.  I miss him every day, and he’s been gone for 30 years now.

Yet sadly, I have only a few snapshots from early in my life that show the two of us together, and NOTHING that really illustrates the relationship that grew between us as I grew up.

I can’t change that now, no matter how much I wish I could.

What about you?  What do you have that celebrates your dad, and the importance he has in your life?

If you’re like me, and have nothing, maybe it’s time you scheduled something for your family.  Call us at 503-588-0902

Remember, professional family portraits aren’t expensive; they’re PRICELESS!.  And they only grow more valuable with time.

A Father’s Day Remembrance

My dad passed away in 1983, and he had the audacity to do it on my wife’s birthday.

He’s now been gone for almost almost 27 years, but I feel his presence with me every day.  I feel him in my heart, I see him in my eyes, I hear him in my voice, but most of all I see him in my children and my grandchildren.

Kennedy, my 15 month old grandaughter has moments when she looks exactly like his baby pictures. It can be a little startling.   There are also times when she makes the same expressions as my mother.  We refer to it as the “grandma Phyllis face”.  It’s a small source of joy to see them living on in these little glimmers three generations downline.

My dad was my advisor, and in some ways still is today.  In 1997, when I was making the difficult decision to jump out of the corporate world, and start the studio, I was sitting in our family room, pondering the decision, and found myself getting up and walking towards the telephone to call him.  At that time, he’d been gone  about 14 years.

They may not be with us physically, but I’m firmly convinced that we always feel the presence of those we love who’ve departed this earth.  They live on within us in many ways, and we each find our own way to make the memories of them a part of who we are.

Happy father’s day dad.  I love you, and I miss you, but know that because you were here, you made the world a better place.  You left your Footprints on my heart.