What We Leave Behind: The Power of a Missed Portrait

Today, I lost my mother-in-law, Diane. And while my heart aches for my husband and our family, another pain crept in quietly: regret. Specifically, the kind that comes from waiting too long. At 505 Photography, we tell stories through portraits—but in this case, I let time slip by without telling ours.

Diane never loved being in front of a camera. She’d wave off the idea of portraits with a chuckle or a gentle “maybe later.” I understood. I co-own this studio with my dear friend Steve, an incredible photographer and one of the kindest people I know—and yet, I didn’t push for a photo session. We always said “we’ll do it,” just not today.

She passed at 3am on July 16, 2025. And by 7am, my husband Eric was crying on my shoulder, whispering something that broke me:

"We don’t even have any pictures together."

I’ve known Diane since I was 19. I’ve been with Eric for more than 20 years. Not one photo of the two of them together since our wedding. Not from birthdays, holidays, or everyday moments. We exchanged cards… but not pictures.

We spent the last 10 days together in a hospital—Eric, Diane, and me—living through her final chapter. The thought of portraits flickered in my mind many times, but I didn’t speak up. I was absorbed in the now. And today, that silence sits heavy.

I know I’m not alone in this. Many families hesitate, postpone, or forget until it’s too late. Portraits require planning, effort, and vulnerability—but they’re more than pictures. They’re heirlooms. Memories made visible.

So I write this not to dwell in regret, but to gently encourage you: don't wait. If you’ve been meaning to schedule portraits, whether for your kids, your parents, or yourself—make the call. Put a date on the calendar. Don’t aim for perfection. Aim for presence.

Tips to Help You Move from “Someday” to “Now”

Drawing inspiration from fellow photographer Tim Walden, here are steps to overcome the all-too-common hurdle of procrastination:

- Book a Date: Choose a time a few weeks ahead and let your family know. Scheduling makes it real.

- Take Small Steps: Break the prep into manageable pieces—outfits, location, ideas. A little each day goes a long way.

- Visualize the Why: Tape an old photo to your fridge, or save one to your phone background. Let it remind you why portraits matter.

- Make It Fun: Involve your kids, plan a treat afterward—make it something to look forward to, not stress over.

- Tell Someone: Share your plan with a friend or post it online—external accountability can push you forward.

- We’re Here to Help: At 505 Photography, Steve and I will walk you through it all. You don’t have to do this alone.

The truth is, heirloom portraits aren’t just about the person in the frame—they’re about those left holding the photo later.

“In the end, we only regret the chances we didn’t take, the relationships we were afraid to have, and the decisions we waited too long to make.”
— Lewis Carroll

We’re here to help you avoid that kind of regret. Honor your story while it's still unfolding. Let us help you tell it beautifully, meaningfully, and without delay.

With heartfelt sincerity,

—J.