Sometimes you can't tell the difference between a cell phone photo and one done by a photographer.

Sometimes, it is very obvious.

My beloved grandmother passed away last year and this is my last photo of us together. I tried to get a selfie in a dark, crowded, noisy bar & grill. I look at this photo and think about why we were there, (my parents 50th anniversary) and what this little stinker did (start an epic wadded paper straw wrapper fight across several tables of family. Sorry Scot Taylor!).

A photo can bring back all kinds of memories. *Sigh* I miss her so.

But as you can see, it is blurry and grandma isn't looking into the camera. Often times the lighting is terrible and there is weird stuff in the background popping out of your head and it is a very UNFLATTERING angle of yourself. Ew.

However, a year before that - we went together (us 4 generations of girls) to have our portraits taken. Again, I can look at the photos and a flood of fun memories come back.

While I cherish the cell phone photo for so many reasons, I look at our professional photo of us together and have since enlarged it and keep it in my living room. I've used it as my profile picture. I admire the well-produced photo and think my li'l 92 year old grandma is simply beautiful. I can see her face clearly and sharply and the twinkle that was always present in her eyes. And I don't look half bad

Cell phone cameras are so awesome and handy to capture the everyday...but a portrait done by a professional is apples to oranges.

Can I produce something beautiful for you this year?

Artography by Bethany