Creating a Unique 90th Birthday Gift: A Special Photo Tribute to a Naval Nurse
My mom and I are working on a very special project for a relative’s upcoming 90th birthday celebration. This relative has such a rich history—she was a naval nurse during WWII and Korea, and we wanted to honor her life and service with something truly meaningful. While going through old family photos, I stumbled upon a gem: a 4×5 negative of her standing proudly in her naval uniform, right in front of one of the Navy ships she served on. The moment I saw it, I knew this would be the perfect photo to include in our project.
Naturally, I thought it would be amazing to have the picture professionally printed, especially given its historical significance to our family. But as usual, I left things to the last minute! I quickly realized that finding a place to print such a unique format—especially on short notice—was going to be a challenge. The 4×5 negative was an older format, and I wasn’t sure where to get it printed in time for the party.
It was late at night, and after a glass (or two) of wine, inspiration hit. I had the idea to create a DIY solution right at home. I decided to lay the negative on a piece of glass and use a strobe light from behind to illuminate it. Honestly, I wasn’t sure if it would work, but I gave it a shot. And to my surprise—it turned out beautifully! The strobe brought out the incredible details of her uniform and the ship behind her. The image came to life in a way I hadn’t expected, and it was such a rewarding moment.
I can’t wait to share the final photo with her at the birthday party. This project has been such a heartfelt way to honor her 90 years of life and her service as a naval nurse. It’s a reminder of how photographs have the power to connect us to the past, to bring memories back to life, and to celebrate the people who have shaped our family’s story.
This experience also taught me a valuable lesson—sometimes, the best results come from thinking outside the box. Whether it’s finding a last-minute solution or getting creative with your photography techniques, you never know where a little bit of experimentation might lead. I’m so excited for her to see the photo, and I’m proud to have been able to create something so personal and meaningful for such a special milestone.
