I was told as a kid to never touch a photo. To carefully hold the shiny paper with the edges, so as not to smudge the center. I’m sure there was good reason. Film was expensive, you don’t want smudges over peoples faces. But I believe there was more than that. She didn’t want to ruin the perfect moments. The frozen time that couldn’t be plagued, only disrupted by fingerprints.
I don’t want that though. I want someone to love the photos, cherish them. To pick them up without fear of bending them. Write in big, black ink, their feelings. Leave a tear stain that blends colors and expresses emotions. Life isn’t perfect. Your photos shouldn’t be either. No more cutesy poses and smiles. I want tears and laughs and goof-ups and a little dirt on the lense. I want life.