Snapshots of a Lifetime

I look at the photograph and am drawn to the smile. Warm like a sunny day and always a welcome sight and now, only seen in photos. Rare photos for the subject was often behind the camera and not in front.

I never asked him why, I am sure he had his reasons.

"A photograph is a secret about a secret. The more it tells you the less you know." Diane Arbus

Certainly not due to his crooked smile. Maybe because he did not like the spotlight?

For all his bold, brashness my Dad was content to let others shine.

Hence why photos of him are treasured even more. Gone for over 30 years the smile remains as do happy memories of trips, parties and candid moments.

How I loved that smile and when I earned it with a well timed joke or funny face I was left smiling too.

My Dad the brash, shy family photographer who enjoyed capturing moments rather than being in them. I wonder where did the love of photography come from? Did he enjoy the risk of taking photos?

"What I like about photographs is that they capture a moment that's gone forever, impossible to reproduce." Karl Lagerfeld

For when Dad took a photo we were never sure if the moment was properly captured. Never positive that everyone was smiling their best smile. Did the snap happen at just the right moment to capture the surprise, joy or excitement of the moment?

We had to wait, days and sometimes weeks before we knew how successful my Dad had been.

Do I appreciate photos of yesteryear more?

My kids will never know the joy and anticipation of waiting weeks to see how the moment was captured. I smile thinking of the photos with a finger over the lens, a subject not looking directly at the camera or the sun blurring out the faces.

That smile, I get warm thinking of it. Forgive I have got an urge to rummage thru some boxes. I can't wait to see that treasured, rare smile again of a certain brash, shy photographer.