Memorial Day is a special day. It’s a day for family togetherness. But, for the staff of Sterling Photography International, it’s also a time to remember our fallen heroes and their sacrifice. For that reason, we are taking this time to dedicate this blog to our Memorial Day Greetings and Good Wishes.
Is Memorial Day Meaningful to You?
Memorial Day means more than a summer holiday.
The three-day Memorial Day Holiday is a time when you will see crowds of happy citizens. And they will be celebrating the arrival of the official season of summer. Nowhere is this more obvious than in our own Orlando, where there is a bounty of scenic nature, man-made entertainments, and fine weather for us to enjoy.
Backyard parties and gatherings of friends and families are instigated by Memorial Day across the United States. Recreational and party plans stretch from coast to coast as people dust off their boats and scour their barbecue grills. It’s the first official summer holiday.
It’s also natural that all of a sudden, we all get the urge to break out the camera gear for gatherings of family and friends. Yes, on Memorial Day, everyone is a photographer for their special family group. Thus, this blog includes something special for you:
Family Outing and Photo Fun Tips: Especially for Your Memorial Day Get-Together
In honor of the spirit of the family at Memorial Day Outings, Sterling hopes you enjoy this small list of photography tips. We designed them to help you liven up all those line-up-and shoot-shots you might normally take at a picnic, family reunion or barbeque.
Here then, are 4 top photo tips for some extra photo fun with family or friends. Note how the wedding photos in this blog illustrate some of these tips with a beautiful summer wedding couple.
Tip 1. Take a Photo of a Fairly Large object. Then take it apart and see its graphic details. Your shot of a tiger might be an entire canvas of stripes or A CANVAS OF just one eye.
This assignment requires 9 different shots of details of your big object. (Like the wheels of the train or like the toes of the baby!!!)
Summer Love is Here. The bride shines in the foreground of a country vista.
Tip 2. Take your subject’s photograph with him or her placed in the foreground. Then step back so that there is foreground and background in view, with the person or people in the mid-ground.
Then, step way back and get a shot that shows off the setting with the people in the background. It is true this might change the entire feeling of your photo.
Tip 3. Shoot the hands of 3 different people, both at rest and with a prop!!!!! (Hands at weddings are wonderful, and all the props of the wedding, especially the rings, signify the promises of the day.)
Tip 4. Photograph your subject, whether he is grandfather, baby from above, so he or she looks up at you. Then, shoot from below, when you’re looking up at him or her. And then shoot eye to eye level.
There are also more unusual tips and stunts you might have fun in our previous blog.
Is There A Deeper Meaning of Memorial Day?
We believe these are wonderful activities for initiating the summer spirit of 2019. However, all of this fun might be a bright distraction from the true meaning of the holiday. After all, Memorial Day was originally designed as a day to give honor to our brave and dedicated military dead.
“Originally coined Decoration Day, the observance is a U.S. federal holiday and is a time to pay tribute especially by decorating the graves of those whose lives were lost in military service. This time of year, Americans often see news photos of volunteers moving through Arlington Cemetery in Washington D.C., decorating the long rows of graves.”
Memorial Day Memories
Whereas there is nothing wrong with enjoying the holiday spirit of the festivities of food, fun, and family during the Memorial Day three day holiday weekend, there is also a need to show reverence to our soldiers. It is stunning to think about the massive number of military who gave their last breath in the performance of their duty—and yes, it’s sad. If you don’t have time to put a flower on a soldier’s grave, just take a moment to recognize our military who have passed away. They are our heroes, and we should hold them in our hearts.
Memorial Day: Will You Remember?
The lines in the foreground, a couple in the midground, and rich colored background make this shot so deep it is almost 3 dimensional.
There are ceremonies and parades in many U.S.A. communities, designed to remember and honor the members of the American Armed Forces who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country. We also advise you to read the story of the true origin and history behind Memorial Day at this informative source. What you find may surprise you.
At some moment, during the holidays, please take a moment to remember and:
- Let us vow to pause in the three-day celebration of our lives, to recognize the courage and heroism of our military.
- We could steal a moment from the first fun of the new summer holiday and put a flower on a hero’s grave.
- We bow our heads to remember our soldiers who gave up their lives to keep us free and safe in our American homes.
A Special Dedication and Memorial Day Message
We dedicate the song below, to Memorial Day and our military. You know this song, but we hope it will replay in your mind in honor of the military men and women who have given their final sacrifice. You will probably hear these words sung quite often on May 27th. But perhaps we should think of them more often than once a year.
“God Bless The USA” By Lee Greenwood And Gladness Beard Jennings
A Midground position for the dancing couple shows off the movement, emotion and joy, played against a grand background.
If tomorrow all the things were gone I’d worked for all my life
And I had to start again with just my children and my wife
I’d thank my lucky stars to be livin’ here today
‘Cause the flag still stands for freedom and they can’t take that away
I’m proud to be an American where at least I know I’m free
And I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me
And I’d gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land
God bless the USA
From the lakes of Minnesota to the hills of Tennessee
Across the plains of Texas, from sea to shining sea
From Detroit down to Houston and New York to LA
Well, there’s pride in every American heart
And it’s time we stand and say that…
(Second Time, With Feeling…)
I’m proud to be an American where at least I know I’m free
And I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me
I’d gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land. God Bless the USA.
Sterling Photography International wishes you “safe traveling” on your Memorial Day 2019 adventures.
Also, please drive safely on the highways, by-ways, and back roads of this Great Land.
