Photography through Grief
Yesterday I watched a brilliant film - His Three Daughters.
It’s about life, death and how family dynamics transition throughout. It inspired me to talk about my Granny, as it’s now been 18 months since she passed.
I took these photos in her care home and around her village a when went to say goodbye, a few days before she passed.
It was a somber week but we found light in the dark, as you must in times like this.
We spoke to her as she slept, reminiscing on nature-filled holidays and watering the plants in her sublime garden, picking the giant rhubarb and the adventure of getting ice cream from the outside freezer.
This was the first time I’d experienced losing a close family member, and it was completely heartbreaking.
She made the best flapjack - she literally won awards for it. She gave me the recipe but it isn’t the same when I make it.
She taught me how to spell ‘chocolate’ at the kitchen table and I still hear certain words in her voice. She was gentle and kind and warm. She had the bluest eyes I’ve ever seen. She remembered all my friend’s names and would ask after them on every phone call.
The day of her funeral was a difficult day, but it was spent in her village in Shropshire, surrounded by family. I read out a speech my Dad wrote at her funeral in front of a church full of her friends. I remember glancing up to see that some people were standing because they ran out of seats.
Mist rolled over the hills and it felt like the whole world had a heaviness - sensing her loss.
I regret only ever making a few portraits of her, and I can’t find most of them. I need to make more portraits of my family and friends.
Hold your loved ones close.
Hug them.
Tell them you appreciate them.
Make photos and videos of them.
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