Hi Terryn- I read the piece profiling you in Culture Study and felt an instant connection. My grandfather was a professional photographer and was the collector and archivist of family photos going back to the late 1800s. I have an envelope of photographs he copied for me featuring great-great-great uncles and aunts who I've never heard of living their daily life in Michigan. My wife and I have a gallery of old family photos from both sides lining the main hallway of our house. I loved reading about your photographic journey and approach, and I agree, there's something that I miss about the intention of non-digital photography. I'm on your list now and looking forward to reading more!
I've seen gallery walls but none really like our parents and grandparent used to do. I do think its important to have non-digital ways to archive our lives though, I have so many pictures in my old phones that I dont even access anymore.
Reading this made me remember something my mother did every Christmas and Thanksgiving for years. She would stock up on Polaroid film and as each of us arrived, literally walked in the door, she'd take our photo. They'd be up all holiday along with ones from the past and then she stuck them all in a book. We took other pictures at Christmases with other cameras and, eventually, our phones, but nothing matched the freshness, the silliness, the love that somehow emanated from those little squares of film.
I love how you have written about this project and admire what you are doing and figuring out by working within the constraints of scarce film, cameras that may or may not work, the costs. It makes each shot special.
Oh, the photo wall! There was a moment when I was about 12, when a white plumber came by and paused to notice all the family photos in our living room. He said, "I've never seen so many pictures together," and sounded kind of awestruck.
I didn't realize it was a thing until I went to my grandmother's sister's house and saw that *she* did it too, and all my friends had one. I envision it as almost like an ancestor altar.
Oh this brought back so many memories! My Dad loved his SX-70 and taking family photos. He passed this love to me but I’ve been feeling less than creative lately. This was just the inspiration I needed!
I came here from your interview with AHP, thank you for writing this! My partner and I have been taking a weekly Instax selfie for the last ~7 years and the little books we’ve collected them in are at the top of my “grab first of case of fire” list. I love how imperfect and real they are 💗 and to see ourselves change and age over time feels like such a gift.
Coincidentally I had just watched the Victoria Monét video for the first time yesterday—I loved the vibes and the choreography, and I can’t get enough of the those TALL varsity jackets!!!
Fujifilm Instax is next on my wishlist -- love the film and cameras. And I love the idea of a weekly selfie -- a great way to track time and see what has/hasn't changed. I appreciate you reading and reaching out!
I love that you are a picture family. Your wonderful post even made me long for a film camera again. I thought the days of waiting anxiously for the film to be developed, then the disappointment and cost of developing a whole film and not having one decent photo, were over. But you bring back the excitement of the instant photo.
Just please keep your photos carefully and scan the best, so they don’t fade.
Love this essay!!! You capture that moment between a photographer and her camera with such care and recognition. Who wouldn’t be touched by the magic you’ve created here? 💕
“You have to work for it like crab meat” is such a great line!
Thank you! I eat a lot of crabs in Virginia haha
Was just going to say this! So good!
Hi Terryn- I read the piece profiling you in Culture Study and felt an instant connection. My grandfather was a professional photographer and was the collector and archivist of family photos going back to the late 1800s. I have an envelope of photographs he copied for me featuring great-great-great uncles and aunts who I've never heard of living their daily life in Michigan. My wife and I have a gallery of old family photos from both sides lining the main hallway of our house. I loved reading about your photographic journey and approach, and I agree, there's something that I miss about the intention of non-digital photography. I'm on your list now and looking forward to reading more!
Hi Heath! Nice to meet you, and so glad that it resonated. Excited to connect with you!
Do we even do picture walls anymore? Is this the sign of a decline as a people? LOL
I've seen gallery walls but none really like our parents and grandparent used to do. I do think its important to have non-digital ways to archive our lives though, I have so many pictures in my old phones that I dont even access anymore.
I agree, we are losing photos into a digital dark hole. We need to keep the best in the real world.
We should do picture walls again - and keep changing them!
Reading this made me remember something my mother did every Christmas and Thanksgiving for years. She would stock up on Polaroid film and as each of us arrived, literally walked in the door, she'd take our photo. They'd be up all holiday along with ones from the past and then she stuck them all in a book. We took other pictures at Christmases with other cameras and, eventually, our phones, but nothing matched the freshness, the silliness, the love that somehow emanated from those little squares of film.
I love how you have written about this project and admire what you are doing and figuring out by working within the constraints of scarce film, cameras that may or may not work, the costs. It makes each shot special.
Love this idea. I hope you don't mind if I include it in a post?
Oh, the photo wall! There was a moment when I was about 12, when a white plumber came by and paused to notice all the family photos in our living room. He said, "I've never seen so many pictures together," and sounded kind of awestruck.
I didn't realize it was a thing until I went to my grandmother's sister's house and saw that *she* did it too, and all my friends had one. I envision it as almost like an ancestor altar.
Love that idea
Oh this brought back so many memories! My Dad loved his SX-70 and taking family photos. He passed this love to me but I’ve been feeling less than creative lately. This was just the inspiration I needed!
That's wonderful! And the SX-70s are some pretty cool cameras, I think they still make 600 film for them too. Would love to see the pictures you make.
I came here from your interview with AHP, thank you for writing this! My partner and I have been taking a weekly Instax selfie for the last ~7 years and the little books we’ve collected them in are at the top of my “grab first of case of fire” list. I love how imperfect and real they are 💗 and to see ourselves change and age over time feels like such a gift.
Coincidentally I had just watched the Victoria Monét video for the first time yesterday—I loved the vibes and the choreography, and I can’t get enough of the those TALL varsity jackets!!!
Fujifilm Instax is next on my wishlist -- love the film and cameras. And I love the idea of a weekly selfie -- a great way to track time and see what has/hasn't changed. I appreciate you reading and reaching out!
I enjoyed reading this! Left you a comment attached to a note somewhere...no point in repeating myself.
Your image of the church works really well in black and white.
I appreciate it! I was honestly shocked it came out so well, looking forward to taking more
Yes, please do! Sometimes taking a photo without thinking too much about it works like magic. Trust your instincts!
I love that you are a picture family. Your wonderful post even made me long for a film camera again. I thought the days of waiting anxiously for the film to be developed, then the disappointment and cost of developing a whole film and not having one decent photo, were over. But you bring back the excitement of the instant photo.
Just please keep your photos carefully and scan the best, so they don’t fade.
Yes! I'm lucky to have a home scanner and I use it for my favorite photos. You just reminded me I need to get some scanned this week :)
Love this essay!!! You capture that moment between a photographer and her camera with such care and recognition. Who wouldn’t be touched by the magic you’ve created here? 💕