Portfolio > Traditions: Feelings & Observations series

2012-present

The photographs in this series share family traditions, represented by objects, that are frozen in anticipation for a next generation. These frozen objects are photographed and placed next to a portrait of each of my immediate family members both on my side and on my husband's side of the family. Text accompanies the piece giving each family member a chance to state their own feelings about their chosen family tradition, a personal identification they hope to pass on.

The approach to this project was inspired by field research techniques used by social scientists. Just as social scientists record objective field observations of their subjects' I wanted one portion of the project to be portraits that describe a straightforward, documentary look at each individual. In addition, I wanted each subject to be able to share their own feelings and choose their own tradition. This was done through each person's choice of frozen object and their text that explains why they see this tradition as so important, often portraying the basis of their core beliefs.

The dark backgrounds in the portraits show the unknown future existence of one's chosen tradition. In addition, the ice solidifies the temporary state of the prized tradition. The individual family portrait, traditionally oval-shaped, is meant to describe an object that should be kept and passed down to future generations. Ultimately the project strives to share a diversity of individual traditions while at the same time offering a bridge between family groups who hope for a next generation. What is the future of your family culture?