I hardly have any images taken of my kids on an SLR over the last two years. iPhone : blessing and curse. Since earlier this year I have been using my Canon Rebel (and film) to photograph my family instead of the 5d Mk3. Which is cool, and I am loving it….but here’s the thing: I haven’t processed even one roll. I have something like 15 rolls of film in a basket by my front door that I am too weird/possessive/afraid about sending off. Which is completely ridiculous and I am actually going to pinky swear right now that before January is over, I will send those suckers IN.
That feels good. To have said that out loud. Keep me accountable!
My heart’s intention was to focus more on my personal life with a camera this year. And I kind of did that, it was just with my iPhone. (Which I am kind of okay about? KWIM?) I also followed along with two other photographer’s portrait projects with their own children. Leah Zawadzki and Josh Solar both took a portrait of each of their kids, once a week, for a year. (They each have three children, so what an accomplishment.) Both of these projects inspired me so much, and I had this pull to do one of my own. But I know me. A portrait of each of my kids every week just wouldn’t happen, so I dropped it.
Smooth Transition to three weeks ago, when I got an email from Meaghan Curry, inviting me to be a part of You Are My Wild, a group portrait project.
You Are My Wild is “a weekly portrait project that brings together 14 photographers to document how they see their children.”
Participants:
Anje Bridge
Becky Zeller
Brooke Schwab
Dera Frances
Isabel Furie
Jessica Kraus
Kati Dimoff
Kelsey Gerhard
Klodjana Dervishi
Meaghan Curry
Rebecca Conway
Ryan Marshall
Shelby Brakken
In the email, Meaghan told me we would each share one photo per week. It could be a photo of one of our children, or all. We could each define portrait as we wished.
(LIGHTBULB!) I don’t have to do EACH of my children. I can loosely define portrait. I just need to focus on using my other cameras to do it. As I read the list of names, I got more and more excited to be a part of this, and I immediately said yes.
Our very first set of images: Week One
I think this is going to be really special as each week you see a comparison of what is happening in the lives of all of us, in different states and countries, with different kids and ages, and different views of the project. This week, I found similarities with the tutus and the Mickey hats, and man, that just makes me smile.
So, welcome to the first week of this year long project. We will be posting every Tuesday if you’d like to follow along. xo
-Tara
gosh. he looks so much like jeff here. and like you. so neat to see each of you in your kids. i’m looking forward to following along on this year’s journey.
Exactly. Right.
this.is.awesome! i’m so excited about these different projects that i keep coming across…this is definitely a fave. looking forward to following your year.
what a great idea.. love it.. not that I can ever get my kids to cooperate for that kind of time but I think its an awesome idea I might try something similiar thanks as always for the inspiration
so excited to follow along. you and ryan marshall take some of my fav photos of your kids. can’t wait to see what you all come up with!
Does your teenager spend more time dodging the camera than sitting for the split second it takes to snap a candid photo? I’m asking for a friend. With a teenager. Ok, it’s me. Just making sure I’m not alone.
So friggin’ cool. Seriously.
What an amazing project! Love it.
He is the double spit 50/50 of you and hub. I cant call who he looks like more although im scared how much of a man he has become. Ive followed your blog since 2005. I don’t want to believe this. Whilst I embrace that you children should evolve, for me they are immortalised, in my head, as they were in 2005.
Kinda like Im still 23, in my head. And not 41
I too used my phone way too much over the last year until May when my family got me the Sony Nex7n what I refer to as my babySLR. It’s size makes it a lot easier and fun to use but the file size and quality is the same and I can still swap lenses. I also invested in a EyeFi which has made blogging a breeze and at $40 it’s a no-brainer(a lot don’t want them think they’ll be slow but I’ve used it with video and highrez and it’s fine).
Totally following suit silently. This will help me get a full album of just dallon covering his face or making faces (which I really want:) thanks for sharing. Can’t wait to see what’s posted from you all.
Such a great collaboration and collection of photos you’ll all have at the end of the year! Loved seeing this first week. I hope you’ll post when each week’s images have been submitted – would love to see the evolution.
I love this. I tried to photograph one of my children every day for a year (it was my teenage son going from year 12 to 13). It was too much of a commitment for us both but I do cherish the photos I took. What an awesome idea and collaboration. Can’t wait to check in each Tuesday.
He is one beautiful human being, Tara! How do I make my 9 year old not grow up that fast?
You make gorgeous kids. Love this idea. This school year is my 14 year old daughters first year at high school. She (read I) has taken a picture every day at the front door before she leaves to school. Her goal was not to repeat one clothing outfit this year. I am reminded here today, that those pictures are so much more than that. Thank you Tara.
What any amazing project! and so many great photographers to work along side! I can’t wait to fallow this all year!
I’m in…can’t wait to see the work each week. What a cool idea.
Get your film developed! I finally did and was saddened to see that some had deteriorated.
what a great project. excited to follow along!
happy happy HAPPY. two of my favorite photogs in the lineup? yes, please.
Oh wow! This project is a brilliant one! Love the title as much as the concept. Can’t wait to see what you create! Thanks, thanks, thanks for sharing!
that I inpspired YOU is such a huge compliment! and it makes my heart so happy. as i know that your family and your photography is what makes your heart happy! that you are defining it your way, in a way that works for you is perfect. i find i put too many rules on things and that never works for me either. i KNOW this is going to be great for you. and what a wonderful group and project. have fun! it will be fun to watch. :)
Wow! I know we’ve never actually met you and all but after following your blog for like, six years, I was shocked when I looked away for a minute and he grew up! Great project, great photo!
I feel like your son turned into a man overnight. I do not recognize him. I think our sons must be the same age’ish. I don’t recognize mine these days: the sinking voice, the newly sprouted mustache.
So glad you found a project that inspires you to capture your family. :)
Love photo projects that let you define them, instead of the other way around. Excited to see more personal stuff from you! I really need to up the personal work too, I hardly shot anything last year.
Thanks for the shoutout…I’m anxious to watch your weekly project grow! And, man, if only someone would ask me to be a part of one of these cool weekly projects. I’ve always wanted to be a part of one…They’re so exciting!
He’s beautiful, Tara.
Great project! I’ve recently come around to the idea that photography isn’t just about making images ‘pretty’, I think a lot of your style reflects that ( not that your images aren’t pretty!). Maybe the use of digital makes us delete or not show all the crap photos- get the film developed, would love to see the results ;)
Love it and can’t wait to see where it takes you.
<3 xo