Many of the families I work with have been impacted by divorce. I was glad to be contacted by Peck Law Firm who wrote this guest blog post on how new family portraits can provide some healing after a difficult time.
Healing Portraits
Getting divorced is difficult. Even a relatively straightforward divorce often leaves both partners feeling stressed and emotionally drained. As an individual going through the divorce process, you know your Charleston divorce lawyer is your biggest advocate. Your lawyer is the one who makes sure you’re aware of your rights and all your legal options and gives you valuable advice as you work through the process of ending your marriage.
There’s another way your lawyer can help you that you might not realize: connecting you with a professional photographer who can help you heal from the divorce by taking your portrait. Your divorce isn’t the end of your life; it’s just the end of your marriage.
Portraits as a Means to Reclaim Power
A divorce can leave you feeling powerless and out of touch with yourself. A portrait can help you get to know yourself again and reclaim your power by making you the focal point of the image.
You’re not the same person you were before your marriage. You’re also not the same person you were during your marriage or while you were working through your divorce. Your experiences shaped you, so embrace them and draw power from them. And any time you need a power boost, your portrait is there to provide it.
Showcasing Who you are, At this Moment in Time
You might not feel like you look your best right now. You might have gained weight or you might not be wearing the latest fashions. That’s okay; a big part of healing from a divorce is accepting yourself for who you are. No matter what you’re wearing or how you’re styled, there’s one thing every well-executed portrait captures: confidence. Trust your photographer to create an image that showcases your strength and resilience and pushes your style into the background.
Illustrate your Life’s Progression in Portraits
One important way a portrait can help you heal from a divorce is showing how your life’s changed after the divorce. Take a portrait with just your children or with your parents and siblings to replace your family portrait with your former spouse.
Years down the road, you might want to update your family portrait to celebrate your new marriage, birth of a new baby, new pets, addition of stepchildren to your family, and births of your grandchildren.
Finding the Ideal Photographer for your Portrait
Don’t just choose any photographer to take your healing portrait. Take the time to really shop around to find the photographer who fits your budget and your style. Some photographers specialize an innovative, fun portraits that feel modern and even avant garde. That’s great if it matches your style, but if you’re more of a traditionalist, even the best avant garde portrait photographer isn’t the right photographer for you.
When you ask your lawyer to connect you with a portrait photographer, tell him or her about your style preferences and budget to help him or her connect you with the ideal photographer for your project.
Thank you, Peck Law Firm, for your thoughtful article on healing portraits.
Sarah Goldman is a family photographer in Charleston, SC.
Sarah Goldman Photography 