“Holding hands can express affection, comfort, warmth, pain, release, safety, psychological closeness, and empathy” according to a blog written by Rachael Pace.
I find looking at hands and reflecting on these expressions fascinating. I’ve always told my husband that my favorite feature of his is his hands; specifically when he’s wearing his wedding ring. As I’ve gotten older, I realize it’s because of what his hands represent to me. Safety. Security. The loyalty, work, and dedication he’s put into our family. I love holding my husband’s hand as a form of connection. When we are sitting in a church or event such as a wedding or funeral, I look at our hands joined together and our wedding rings. I get overwhelmed with feelings of gratefulness while being reminded of the commitment we have made to each other
There are so many relationships beyond a husband and wife (honestly too many to mention).
There are a few that stand out to me over time. Holding my children’s hands to help them walk or reach a new height. Holding my mother’s hand who now has dementia…there’s something about looking at that connection and remembering the many, countless times she’s taken my hand and offered me support and the importance of now doing the same for her. Holding her hand abates her anxiousness as she feels that closeness with me. As times and generations change, I now I have the complete joy of holding my tiny grandchildren’s hands in mine. The rush when they grab for my hand is indescribable.
That love of witnessing these connections transcends into my photography sessions. I’m always obsessed with taking zoomed in pictures of my subjects holding hands. There’s just something so special found in the connection and bond.
One of my favorite “hand photos” I’ve taken is the photo I’ve shared in this blog. 2 granddaughters holding the hands of their 101 year old grandmother. How special is this memory? The hands of this beautiful grandmother have “seen” and accomplished so much over a century of her lifetime. The accomplishments. The trials. The tears wiped away. The dishes washed. The letters and notes written. The presents wrapped. The hands held. The connections. The love.
My galleries include photos of adult hands with their children whether adults, babies, or in between. To me the connections between a parent and child’s hands symbolizes protection and all that is implied with the love that you hold for that child, the many ways in which you would protect your child, and all that you would do to keep your child(ren) safe.
And don’t forget a picture of your hands on their own. Independence. Overcoming. Our hands are a road map of things we’ve faced in our lives. Actions we’ve taken. People we’ve held. Things we’ve created. Work we’ve accomplished. Animals we’ve petted. Mouths we’ve fed. Gestures we’ve used to communicate. Prayers we’ve made. Words we’ve written and shared.
Never pass up an opportunity to take a picture of your loved ones holding hands, or if you’re a photographer add it to your session outline. 9 times out of 10 it’s one my clients choices for their final gallery.
I can only hope my hands have offered comfort, security, and love towards others as they have done for me, and with a click of my camera, I aim to capture the connected feelings for others to share.
Newborn Photographer / Family Photographer / Lifestyle Photographer / Tomball, Texas / Magnolia, Texas / Spring, Texas / The Woodlands, Texas / Cypress, Texas / Katy, Texas
