Though we burn a fair number of brain cells here at Mylio thinking about how to make great photos, every so often we’re reminded that a technically great photo is kind of beside the point. Golden hours and yummy bokeh aside, photos are at their most powerful when they capture pivotal or pregnant moments. And when these small moments expand — say with time, or reflection on what-we-know-now-that-we-didn’t-then, well, that power only grows.
Photos of beginnings and endings have this power in spades. And if you can span time and bookend the two, you get spades squared.
Here are 19 examples of that effect in action, 19 first-and-lasts, brought to us by The Dodo:
“I had to put my first dog down last week after 14 years of wonderful companionship. RIP Docker.”
“Our beautiful bossy Cassie died suddenly three years ago today. We still miss her.”
“My dog passed away yesterday. These are the first and last pics of her … “
“Our first day and last day together.”
“The first and last picture of my cat, Steve Holt! I’ll miss you so much, buddy.“
“Thirteen years ago when I first met my dog. Here he is at the park. We took him one last time and let him roam wherever he wanted.”
“She’s been my best friend for SIXTEEN YEARS and today, she sadly passed away from a stroke. I love this dog and I miss her dearly.”
“Our first and last pictures together. Mortimer, 1991-2010.”
“My first picture and last picture with Kilo … RIP little guy.”
“This is my cat’s first and last picture.”
“The first and last photos of my best friend.”
“We had to put him down yesterday … I loved him so damn much.”
“Here’s the first and the last pictures we ever took of our old dog, 16 years apart.”
“We had to put down Simba today. Here’s the first picture I took of him and one of the last.”
“My best friend is now gone after 10 years of friendship. These are her first and last pictures.”
“Millie passed away this week. This is the first and last photo I took of her. I love you so much Millie!”
“The first and last photo of my best friend. I love you Mel.”
“From the first ‘hi’ to the final ‘goodbye,’ the best dog I’ve ever had.”