putting yourself back in photos
There are many layers to motherhood that can feel like a dream. Just when you think you had one thing figured out, it changes and you start over again. Just like a dream you wake up remembering bits and pieces but never the full dream and somewhere along the way you question what that dream was all about. I define much of my documentation of my own motherhood like an unedited dream with a bunch of unique photos of all the wonderful things I experienced around me. Taking photos of things I wanted to remember for myself. With time, I built a collection of photos of my own memories of my children’s childhoods. I think this is true for most mothers. They take photos of their children and almost to none of them with their children.
Speaking with a friend the other day, she shared with me that she had a total of two photos of her mom from her childhood. A bit of sadness trailed in her voice as she remembered her mother being a vibrant and happy woman who did everything for her kids.
What if more mothers and women began to be in their family’s memories? Not in a made up and artificial way but in a real and loving way. Where mothers are connecting and being candid in their everyday lives. What if we all gifted our children albums filled with stories and we were part of each picture. I want to change the story of motherhood by showing courageous women making this active choice. If you think you are one of them, please get in touch with me. I want to share with you more details on how you can share your story and help break the old cycle and get yourself back in your family’s photo frames.
Irina Fortey is an Ottawa and Toronto Documentary Photographer.
Capturing your everyday in the most beautiful way, candidly and unscripted.