They say a picture is worth a thousand words. But some pictures can say more than they intended – in this instance, by demonstrating valuable financial planning tips.
19 August marks World Photography Day. Bringing you some of the most well-loved and powerful photos from around the world, we’re joining the celebrations by reflecting on what they can teach us all about financial planning.
Read on to discover five historical photos and the financial lessons you can learn from them.
1. Gifting today can help reduce your estate’s Inheritance Tax bill later
Our first photo, known as ‘A Few Seconds Before Happiness’, was brought to public attention on social media by famous street artist Banksy.
Not much is known about the photo, although it’s believed to have been taken in 1955. The expression on the young boy’s face as he’s about to be gifted a puppy – by a man presumed to be either his father or grandfather – perfectly encapsulates the joy of gifting.
By sharing your wealth with loved ones today, rather than waiting for them to inherit your entire estate after you’re gone, you can enjoy seeing them delight in your gift and start benefiting immediately.
Provided the gift is given more than seven years before you pass, its value typically won’t be included in your estate for Inheritance Tax (IHT) purposes. So, whether you’re gifting money, property, stocks and shares, or family heirlooms, your loved ones could benefit from both the gift itself and the potential reduction in IHT later down the line.
If you pass away within seven years of giving certain financial gifts, your estate could pay IHT on them.
If you’d like to experience the joy of gifting, like the man in this photo, we can provide financial planning support tailored to your family’s needs and financial circumstances.
2. Protect yourself against risks, so you’re prepared for the unexpected
First published in 1932, ‘Lunch Atop a Skyscraper’ is an iconic image depicting 11 construction workers taking their lunch break 850 feet above New York City.
The photo is now widely believed to have been staged. However, it remains a striking representation of the casual attitude taken to workplace risk – particularly in terms of health and safety – in bygone eras.
While you’re unlikely to find yourself eating lunch on an 850-foot-high beam in 2025, we all still face risks in our daily lives. Injuries and illnesses can occur at any time, so it’s crucial to protect your finances against life’s unexpected twists and turns.
There are various products available offering vital financial protection to preserve your wealth in a range of circumstances, including:
- Income protection – Long-term payments that can replace a portion of your lost income.
- Critical illness cover – A lump sum payment to help you cover immediate costs and provide a financial buffer if you become critically ill.
- Life cover – A tax-free payment to your loved ones in the event that you pass away.
You could also consider building an emergency fund of cash savings, set aside for a rainy day. That way, you’ll have immediate access to funds if you need them in a pinch.
So, while you might not be able to avoid life’s risks, you can put provisions in place to protect your wealth. A financial planner can help you put the right protection in place for your circumstances.
3. Savings and investments require persistence and adaptability to “take off”
Taken on 17 December 1903, this iconic photo depicts the Wright brothers’ first flight – making them the world’s first aeroplane pilots.
Although the aircraft travelled just 180 feet in its 12-second flight, this photo shows a pioneering moment in aviation history. Despite many of the Wright brothers’ aircraft crashing, their commitment to innovation ultimately enabled us to travel anywhere in the world.
Much like the advancement of air travel, when you’re looking to amass significant savings, you must start small. Initial victories may seem unsubstantial, but by persisting in saving and investing – and by following a clear strategy – you could achieve phenomenal results.
There are likely to be small setbacks when building your wealth through savings and investments, such as unexpected home repairs or stock market fluctuations. But by adopting the attitude of the Wright brothers, you can continue adapting and refining your financial plan to achieve your long-term goals.
A financial planner can support you in building your savings and investment strategy. Focusing on your goals and using our expertise, we can help maximise your returns and help your investments take off.
4. Always question the authenticity of financial advice shared online
Taken during the Crimean War in 1855, ‘Valley of the Shadow of Death’ is one of the earliest photos depicting warfare. However, it’s also widely considered to be one of the first faked photos, with the content believed to have been manipulated.
The photo’s authenticity might not have been questioned at all, had the photographer, Roger Fenton, not also produced a second image. In the alternate version, all the cannonballs lie in the ditch, with none on the road. As a result, it remains unclear which photo depicts the actual scene Fenton encountered, and which was taken after the cannonballs had been moved.
The issue of authenticity is far more prolific in 2025, with social media making it easy for content creators to depict a false reality. So-called “finfluencers” are certainly no exception.
Often sharing news and advice on investments, cryptocurrency, savings, and mortgages, finfluencers are often unregulated – in other words, they aren’t qualified to give advice. In some cases, they could even have a direct financial interest in the products they’re recommending, something qualified financial planners are prohibited from doing. In worst-case scenarios, they can actually be endorsing scams.
As a result, it’s vital to only take financial advice from reputable sources. If you see a tip or opportunity shared online, always be sure to check it with a financial professional before acting to ensure everything is as it seems.
5. A strong financial plan requires multiple factors to work together
This iconic photo shows heavyweight boxing champion, Muhammad Ali, in his 1965 fight against Sonny Liston.
Winning 56 fights throughout his career, and losing just five, Ali was a world-renowned boxer, famous for his unorthodox fighting style. Ali didn’t just throw the hardest punches. His unique foot movements, quick and persistent hands, sharp reflexes, resilience in taking punches, and ability to strategise and react in the moment all combined to make him a boxing legend.
Just like a champion boxer, a successful financial plan skilfully combines different “moves” to help you succeed. When done in isolation, retirement planning, savings and investment strategies, risk management, estate planning, and tax management won’t be enough to give you a solid financial future.
Yet, by coordinating them, you can devise a holistic financial plan that supports you towards achieving your long-term goals.
Get in touch
At Bluesky, our financial planners can support you to secure your financial future. Get in touch with our team today by emailing info@blueskyifas.co.uk or call us on 01189 876655.
Please note
This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at retail clients only.
All information is correct at the time of writing and is subject to change in the future.
Please do not act based on anything you might read in this article. All contents are based on our understanding of HMRC legislation, which is subject to change.
The value of your investments (and any income from them) can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount you invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.
Note that life insurance and financial protection plans typically have no cash in value at any time and cover will cease at the end of the term. If premiums stop, then cover will lapse.
The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate estate planning or tax planning.