Why Every Moment Matters: A Photographer’s Story
There are moments in life that change everything, moments that shift your perspective so completely that you can never see the world the same way again. For me, that moment came the day after Boxing Day last year.
When Everything Changed
The days after last Christmas should have been filled with joy and celebration. Instead, our family received news that would change everything. My dad was diagnosed with cancer and given just 3-6 months to live.
In that moment, time became the most precious gift we had.
Making Every Day Count
Rather than letting fear consume us, we made a decision as a family. We were going to make the most of every single day we had left together. We planned a family holiday. Not because it was convenient or because we felt ready, but because we knew we might not get another chance.
During that trip, I did what I do best. Captured moments. But this time, it wasn’t for my clients, it was for us (Me). I photographed my dad, the way he held his grandchildren, quiet moments of him sitting on the sofa, family dinners where we were all together.
Three months later, when we said goodbye to my dad, those photographs became something I never expected them to be: lifelines.
A Gift That Keeps Giving
Before he passed, my dad did something extraordinary. He knew how much I’d talked about wanting a weekend away in the mountains at a retreat called “Release & Reignite” with someone I have worked with for the last 5 years. Someone who I got to know from business but who became a friend and a very large support system to me over this last year.
Those conversations my dad and I had about needing space to breathe, to think, to just be. Without telling me, he arranged with Giulia to give me that gift.
Last weekend, I finally took that trip to the mountains.
It was everything I’d imagined and nothing I expected. Every view, every quiet moment, every breath of mountain air felt like my dad was there with me. He couldn’t be there physically, but his love, his understanding of what I needed, was present in every single moment.
That’s the thing about the people we love. Their gifts, their thoughtfulness, their understanding of who we are, these things don’t end when they’re gone. But I’m so grateful I have the photographs to hold onto as well. The images of him, the memories we captured, they’re proof that love continues even when someone is gone.
The Power of Preserved Memories
As a photographer with many years of experience, I’ve always understood that photos matter. I’ve seen the joy on parents’ faces when they see their newborn’s first portraits. I’ve watched families treasure their maternity sessions. But losing my dad taught me something deeper about what we really do when we capture these moments.
We’re not just taking pictures. We’re preserving love. We’re creating tangible memories that become more precious than we could ever imagine.
Those holiday photos of my dad aren’t just images on my phone. They’re his voice when I can’t hear it anymore. They’re his presence when I miss him most. They’re what I looked at in the mountains when I wanted to thank him for understanding me so well.
When Life Gets in the Way
The months following my dad’s diagnosis were some of the hardest of my life. From January to March, I tried to carry on working as normal, but the reality of caring for a terminally ill parent while running a business was overwhelming. I had to make the difficult decision to step back significantly from my photography work.
What I didn’t expect was how this would be perceived by others. Some people who didn’t know what I was going through thought I was giving up on my business entirely. Gossip started circulating, and I found myself not only dealing with my dad’s illness and eventual passing, but also with whispers about whether Lisa Scott Photography was closing down.
It was heartbreaking to hear these rumours when I was already struggling with so much. But it taught me something important: we never really know what someone else is going through behind the scenes.
Still Here, Still Creating
I want to be clear with my clients and local community: I’m still here. Lisa Scott Photography isn’t going anywhere. While I’ve had to slow down this year due to circumstances beyond my control, I’m gradually getting back to full capacity. As long as I have families who want me to capture their precious moments, I’ll be here to help them do it.
This experience has actually made me a better photographer. I understand now what it’s like when life throws you unexpected challenges. I know what it means to have to prioritise family over everything else. And I deeply appreciate every single client who chooses to trust me with their memories.
If you’ve been wondering whether I’m still taking bookings, the answer is absolutely yes. If you’ve heard rumours about my business closing, please know they’re not true. I’m here, I’m working, and I’m more passionate than ever about creating beautiful memories for families.
Don’t Wait for Perfect
Here’s what I want every family to know: there is no perfect time for family photos.
Life is messy. Children are cranky. Schedules are busy. Someone always thinks they don’t look their best. We tell ourselves we’ll do it next month, next year, when things settle down.
But here’s the truth I learned the hard way: we don’t get to choose when our “last” photo will be taken. We don’t know which ordinary Tuesday will become an extraordinary memory.
My dad made sure I got my mountain weekend, even though he couldn’t be there to see it. But I have the photos of him to take with me, to look at, to remember. That’s the gift of captured moments – they travel with us, they comfort us, they remind us of love even when the person is gone.
Why This Matters for Your Family
Whether you’re expecting your first baby, celebrating a milestone, or simply wanting to capture your family as it is right now, remember this: today’s moments are tomorrow’s treasures.
That newborn session you’re considering? Your baby will never be this small again.
That family portrait you keep postponing? Your children are growing every single day.
Those maternity photos you’re unsure about? This pregnancy, this anticipation, this moment of becoming, it’s happening right now.
A Promise to My Clients
This experience has deepened my commitment to what I do. When I photograph your family, I’m not just creating beautiful images for your walls (though I hope you love them there too). I’m creating a legacy. I’m preserving the love, the connection, the fleeting moments that make up a life well-lived.
I understand now, more than ever, why parents cry when they see their newborn photos. Why grandparents treasure family portraits. Why a simple image can hold so much power.
Moving Forward
Sitting in those mountains last weekend, the trip my dad made sure I’d have. I thought about all the families I’ve photographed over the years. I thought about the memories I’ve helped preserve. And I felt more grateful than ever for this work I get to do. One amazing family who I had the pleasure of photographing a few weddings came to me in February to capture their beautiful family when they knew they had limited time with their wife, mum and nanny. Im beyond grateful I managed to do their session as I knew the hurt they were going through during this time. This family will forever stay close in my heart.
If you’ve been thinking about booking a session, if you’ve been waiting for the “right time,” let me gently suggest that the right time is now. Not because I want to book more sessions (though I’d love to work with you), but because I know first hand how precious these moments become.
Don’t wait for perfect. Perfect doesn’t exist. But love does. Connection does. And those are the things worth capturing.
A Note of Gratitude
A big thank you goes to Giulia, someone who my customers never see but someone who has been behind me keeping my business going and pushing me forward. After this weekend, we have plans for the next 12 months to carry my little business forward and keep me photographing.
Sometimes the people who support us work quietly in the background, but their impact is immeasurable. I’m grateful to have someone in my corner who believes in what I do and helps make it possible.
But she’s not the only one who’s held me up through this incredibly difficult year. My husband Paul has been my rock, supporting me through every tear and every moment of grief. Celene gave up weeks of her own life to be here for me and my mum when we needed her most, a sacrifice I’ll never forget. And my friends, who have been with me every step of the way, checking in, listening, and reminding me that I’m not alone.
To book your family session or learn more about my photography services, visit www.lisascottphotography.com or call 07903733270 (I love to have a good chat). Let’s create something beautiful together.
