The photographs in this project are all of my maternal grandparents’ home, where I spent a significant amount of time as a child, and still do as an adult, although in a much different way. This series focuses heavily on family dynamics, and how those dynamics are affected by change over time. My family is fairly large and intergenerational, so there is an evident contrast between the views of the younger members and the older in terms of expectations surrounding legacy. The influence of growing up around older generations and the idea of legacy has become increasingly obvious as the youngest generation, which I am a part of, have begun transitioning into a new season of life, where the decisions we make seem to hold more weight than they ever have before. Now that childhood has faded into a rose-colored memory, the complexities of what it means to be in a family have come clearer into focus. 

While the collection revolves around personal relationships, none of the images feature live people. Rather, the presence and impact of people are still evident through the objects they choose to leave behind, and how they arrange those things in that particular space. Certain items are cast aside, collecting dust, while others are displayed proudly on walls and shelves. These choices reveal the owners’ priorities, as well as how they want to present themselves. The perspective of each photograph, as well as the objects emphasized, are important as they illustrate the juxtaposition of past and present. An example of this is the low to the ground perspective, which can be seen in the images of the backyard. The vantage point mimics the view of a child, while the actual scene in the composition brings the viewer back to reality and reminds them that what is there can never be the exact same as it was remembered. The rusted wagon may be in the same location, but it is no longer seen as a chariot to ride on adventures, and the old tire is still there, but it is not the home for sandcastles that it once was. Many of the images have warmer tones, and shallow depth of field, which help to communicate memory and nostalgia. The warmer tones are reminiscent of time spent running around outside, soaking up the sun, and the shallow depth of field illustrates the slight abstraction that comes with remembering the past. The objects focused on not only show the personality of the owner, but they are also a reflection of the things I held dear as a child, such as the toys I played with, or the bed sheets and tall-backed chairs my cousins and I would construct houses from, which are now tucked neatly away in closets and under tables. 

Although the photographs are candid representations of the real state of the house, they are really a story of my family. Each item is a kind of symbol for the state of the family, highlighting both smaller and larger narratives that have already or are currently playing out between people. The objects which were so significant in the past, captured honestly in the present moment, characterize the current condition of the place, and especially the people that frequent it. The series is simultaneously a genealogic and diagnostic record, which enlightens through the obscure and mundane.

You can purchase the book “Playing House” at my storefront on Blurb. It is available in multiple sizes and cover options, as well as in digital form, to fit multiple price points.