We tend to romanticize the past quite a bit. Happy memories are made bitter-sweet and the feelings we associate with those memories bring a pang to the heart. We wistfully wish to go back to the simpler time and struggle with letting the past be the past, but is it wrong to look back to the past with a smile? Most of the time, memories of the past come up in random moments, often with your subconscious in the present reminding yourself of a similar emotion or situation from back then, usually unprompted. However, the human memory is limited, and those memories may not be what we remembered them as.
There is no time machine to go back and fully relive those experiences, but through the magic of photos we can get as close as we humanly can. A single photo can tell an elaborate story, bringing with it the feelings of that moment. We picture what happened at the moment in our brains, and with that comes a surge of emotions. A photo of a trophy lift brings up memories of triumph and hard work whereas birthday pictures make you want to reach out to friends both new and old. Photos are not a time machine, but they are a window into the past and a way to bridge memories and reality.
Because of this, the impact it can have on schools in particular are strong. By capturing school events, students' achievements, and students in yearbooks, schools cement their students as part of their history. Families will look back on these memories with fondness. Students similarly will see these pictures and think about how their biggest problem was not applying for college, but instead whether or not someone would trade their snacks for yours. School photos are a way to affirm the shared journey of students and faculty alike, making sure the bonds created and lessons learned were not purely based on education, but instead on friendship and respect.
Birdville Independent School District, Texas is seeking bids from qualified vendors to provide school photography services. If interested in this opportunity, click on the link to learn more. The bid closes November 14, 2025 at 2:00 PM CT.
