One thing that I have always talked about in my social media posts is the importance of a photograph. You might be thinking, “Well, Nicole Gates is a photographer, so of course she is going to say that right?” Well, think about it.

The one thing that people hold onto longer than any other item is a photograph.

Photographs take us back to our people, our vacations, our successes, our happiness, our experiences; they take us back to a special time in our lives; they take us to places, events, important dates. We remember the birth of our children, the graduation of our seniors, that time when our kids lost their first tooth, when our kids took their first step. Do you remember the look on your kids’ faces when they took that first step? Do you remember it without a photograph? Or do those photographs help you? Do you remember that trip to Europe? The great places you visited? What you looked like standing in front of, or on top of, the Eiffel Tower? Do you remember you grandparents? How they laughed at a good joke? What they looked like when they laughed? How they “stole” your nose when you were a little kid? Do you remember that your grandfather who died when you were only 3 gave you a big red ball for Christmas? Do you remember what you looked like before your grandfather died? What your dad looked like? What it was like to go for a walk in the forest in Denmark with your dad and grandfather? Do you remember how grandma’s apron looked when she was baking you those great cookies in her kitchen? Do you remember her kitchen? Do you remember the look in their eyes when they connected with yours?

Do you remember your classmates from elementary school? Your first pet? The way your dog looked when he was on his last day on Earth? Do you remember what you looked like when you were 20? or 30? Or when you turned 50? Would you remember any of these things if you didn’t have a photograph?

Photographs are important. They mean everything to me. You see, I’m a visual learner. A visual memory bank kind of person. If I don’t have a photograph of something or someone, my memories are a little blurry and they get more blurry as I age. I remember people’s faces before I remember their names. I remember times, places, events, people and little details that matter because of photographs. They matter a lot.

One day, people will go looking for photos of you. One day, you will go looking for photos of yourself. One day, you will go looking for photographs to help you remember.

So now what? We have all been ordered to stay at home during this Covid-19 quarantine. What matters to us the most? Our people. Our places. Our families. The greatest thing about this isolation is the fact that we have all been given the chance to reconnect with our loved ones in a different way. We have been given the chance to reconnect with ourselves again in a new way. I have seen a lot of social media posts asking people what is the first thing they will do when the quarantine is over.

The first thing I am going to do is hug my parents. I have spoken to them from the edge of the driveway and I miss them so much. I miss having them over to my house. I miss sharing a cup of hot tea with them in the afternoon. I miss a good hug from my mom.

The other thing that I look forward to do is to meet with all my clients in person. I am a hugger and I love to have people in my McAllen photography studio on Main Street. I love spending time with people to talk about their photographs and how they would like to be photographed AND their why. I love photographing people. I love to watch people transform before my very eyes as they start to come into this peaceful acceptance of who they are at that very moment. I love it.

I have many clients who had photo sessions scheduled for the months of March, April, and May. Clients who realize the importance of existing in a photograph. Clients who look forward to creating images that their families will go looking for one day. Although we are all on hold, these clients know the value of what they are doing. They know the value of a photograph and are excited about their upcoming sessions. As soon as this quarantine is over, we will be super super busy and that is awesome!

The recent turn of events has taught us that life can change in an instant. From one day to the next. What if…

What if this quarantine lasted much longer? What if the senior McAllen boy did not have his photoshoot with me just the week prior to us being quarantined? What if the recently engaged couple did not have their photoshoot with me the week prior? What if?

Photographs matter. Don’t wait to be photographed. You just never know what tomorrow will bring. Don’t wait until tomorrow to do something that you can do today. To do something that you may not have the chance to do ever again, or for a long time.

I look forward to seeing you all come into my studio to celebrate yourselves and create beautiful portraits with your loved ones. Because, these portraits will matter more than you know.

Nicole Gates Photography LLC is located at 1205 North Main Street in the Fine Arts District of McAllen, Texas. Nicole can be reached through social media on Facebook or Instagram, Email at ng@nicolegatesphotography.com, or at 956-587-9407. Call and schedule your consultation and photo session with me today. Gift cards (to use towards the purchase of prints) and Sessions are available for purchase and will be available for curbside pick up or curbside home delivery (distance permitting). They would make an incredible gift for all the people in your life who matter and all the people you want to remember in beautiful photographs. It would make an incredible gift for yourself too.

XOXOXO~ Nicole