Freyday – A Year Later – Why photos are important…
For the past 15 months, I’ve utilized this “Freyday” blog post every Friday as a way for you to get to know the girl behind the camera. Who is Jessica Frey? I’ve always enjoyed sharing photos of my travels, experiences and sharing with you the publications/awards/etc that I’ve been fortunate to aquire. Today however is a day that hits me hard. I contemplated writing today’s post – and mom, if you’re reading…you may want to stop. I may not be the most elequent writer, but today’s blog post is for me. For me to remember, to celebrate, and to thank.
Today is January 13th, 2012. A day that may seem insignifigant to you (or if you’re Toni and Joe – Happy 1 year anniversary!). It’s been exactly a year since my grandma left this earth and went to heaven. For me, the photo below will forever be ingrained in my mind as a place that held my tears and those chairs in the photo held my shaking body as I cried incessantly for a good hour. With sad memories, it also happens to hold a good memory as the place Toni & Joe held their ceremony just hours prior to this image being taken. It’s Bullhead, Arizona – at the beautiful Laughlin Ranch Golf Club on January 13th, 2011.
Every wedding day is an exciting one for me. It’s a day full of celebration, family, friends – and some great memories. I cherish my job and responsibility each bride and groom has put in my hands to capture their day and to freeze in time those moments, those family members, those friends. My routine in the morning of each wedding is one of getting ready – mentally and with all of my equiment. A year ago, I was getting ready to go meet my bride to start the day and received a phone call from my mom – who was in Texas in my grandmother’s room calling to let me talk to her possibly for the last time. We knew she was ready to go and that after having Alzheimer’s for a few years, a stroke and missing my grandfather – it would be okay to rest in knowing she was ready. Even with the Alzheimer’s, she always knew my voice. To her, I was always ‘my Jessica’ and she will forever be ‘my grandma’. I enjoyed and held on tightly to those last few precious seconds with her, said a prayer – then headed out to start taking photos. The day ran smoothly, the ceremony was sweet…..the location was breathtaking, the food tasted good, and two became one. The reception dinner ended, everyone went back to the hotel and I checked my phone for the first time that day. Voicemail from mom. Oh God. I had missed a call about an hour ago and honestly did not want to hear that voicemail.
What happened next was a blur, and why I want to thank my wonderful friend Jennifer Williams who was shooting with me that day. The joyful,smily, giggle Jessica exhausted after a full day on my feet carrying equipment and working was suddenly replaced with a girl experiencing the loss of someone precious. My pain and sadness was exposed and Jennifer was there to pick me up (or more literally grab my camera as I abruptly fell down when I listened to my voicemail), She led me outside to this private fireplace area, calmed me down, hugged me….and then went to grab me a beer. We sat around that fireplace for almost two hours while I grieved, told her stories, and oddly enough enjoyed a beautiful evening night with a ton of stars, a warm fire and a good friend who was there to listen.
Memories are captured in photos – they’re what we have left to share, laugh at, cry about, smile about. It’s why I do what I do. Thank you for letting me share today the memory of my grandma – and a very personal, emotional wedding day for me. Hug your family, hug your friends, forgive, enjoy the blessings you’ve been given – and look back on your photos with a smile remembering good times with those who love you.
1984 – one of my all time favorite images with my grandparents!
2003 – My graduation ceremony from Texas A&M
June 13, 2004 – my wedding day! 
And, the last photo I have with her….July 4th, 2008 celebrating Aubree’s wedding!
Thank you for letting me share this day with you. Enjoy today, enjoy this weekend and hug your family!
Jessica- those chairs incite a ton of memories for my family and I also. We’ve shared a ton of meals in that clubhouse and our two young children often sit on grandma and grandpas lap while we chat after dinner. Our family has a house on the 7th hole. Enjoy the memories you have of her and rest in knowing where she is now 😉 Happy freyday!
Thank you, Daniel – very sweet comment & I really do love that fire pit & the place is just gorgeous. Happy Freyday to you as well 🙂
Oh Jessica, I remember that day so well. Ironically, this day also happens to be my very dear grandmother’s birthday. I was so heartbroken for you when you got the first call, then so amazingly impressed as I watched you work that day as if nothing was wrong. You gave that bride and groom the same Jessica Frey professional that I have seen so many times on a normal day because you knew they deserved it. It was no shock to me to finally see you release your emotion after the day was over. I’ll always be there to catch your camera and grab you a beer. Love ya friend!
This post really hit home for me. My dad passed away one year ago tomorrow. It was sudden, and I was completely unprepared. There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t miss him. I have been debating writing a blog post about him, but I just wasn’t up to it. Thank you for having the courage to share.
Hi Tonya – thank you for commenting and I’m so sorry for your loss. We all grieve differently & I pray your day tomorrow is one of happy memories & cherished moments you can look back on.