One major fault I have as a photographer is not capitalizing on the moment, while I still have them. Always thinking there’s tomorrow and not right now. As I get older and reflecting on my past I, like many, realize that these moments won’t last forever. There may not be a period where your love ones are available for that portrait or your kids willing to visit so that you can update your latest portrait of them.
This past week my aunt was in town from Louisiana, my aunt whom I haven’t seen since 2017 on the day I got married. My family from Louisiana doesn’t visit Georgia much anymore, as I can say the same for me visiting them there. However, my aunt being here meant an opportunity to not only catch up, introduce her to the kids, but also an opportunity to make a portrait of her. Albeit initially she may have been reluctant to do so, as upon arriving to my mother’s house the house my aunt frequently visited when she live in Georgia, as she was comfortable in her lounge wear. I brought all of the gear I could potentially fit into my mother’s home to capture a portrait just in case my aunt was okay with it.
Surprisingly my aunt agreed to having a few photos taken of her, knowing she wouldn’t be able to see them immediately as this was all done on medium format film. But, before any photo would be made of her she had to “get herself together.” So in the meantime I quickly loaded some Tri-X into my RZ67 set the ASA to 800 and took some test shots of my sister, mother, and mom with kids. All of these photos at the moment may have felt minor, but looking back they are just as important as those I captured of my aunt.
Far to often I know I want to achieve capturing photos that make a statement, photos that make people asks questions or images that could one day be presented in a gallery perhaps. But realistically I know that I am a documentary photographer at heart, I just want to document moments in time to be reflecting upon later by those in the photo. My children may not appreciate these photos at this current time, however in a few years they may mean more to them as it brings memories back to their young minds. Similarly I will always remember this moment as a time where I capitalized on the moment while it was available to me. I don’t know if my aunt will ever visit Georgia again, or even if she does the circumstances surrounding her visit. But I do know I was able to see her and freeze a moment in time forever.
