Remembering the past as if it was today!
As the product of the GenX world, I have a Baby Boomer Mama! I grew up in the mid-west seeing her wear this cape, jacket, sweater, shawl - whatever you choose to call it. To me it was always a sweater or cape. It's heavy and warm and it came out every winter at some point. She LOVED it back in the day. It really was never my kind of taste or style, but as stated, it showed up every single year to live life with her.
Years ago my parents downsized and Mama gave me this sweater. I never knew what I would do with it, but there was something about it that I could not let go of so like any sentimentally attached daughter it found a home in my closet. There it has been for years and years. As a photographer sometimes you find inspiration in the most odd of places. In December 2022 that place became my very own closet. I just stared at it thinking I needed to honor this sweater in an unique way. I had just gotten a new awesome camera tattoo and this sweater was the perfect fit for it!
On Christmas Day 2023, I decided to spend some quality time in my studio with my Mama for my muse. The laughter we had that day with her, my son, and I will never be forgotten. As she was sitting in front of a backdrop I thought again about that sweater! I ran to the house and brought it back to her and she lit up! That is when the history came out of her. She said "Aunt Jane gave me this in California for my 16th birthday!". This I never knew before she wrapped it around herself. Aunt Jane worked at Universal Studios so there is really no telling the history she had with this sweater too. To this date Mom is 77 years old and our Aunt Jane is no longer with us. This garment is at least 61 years old, has traveled to CA, OH, MO, and FL to reside. It looks BRAND NEW. There are no snags or missing buttons, just the memories.
I froze time with Mom in her sweater on that Christmas day. She looked beautiful and at peace wearing it just as she did all those years ago when the days and gifts were simple! I hope I have honored her, my Aunt Jane, and this article of clothing by taking our individual pictures and bringing them into one!
As a portrait photographer in Jacksonville, FL or anywhere I am standing probably, I can confirm that one of the BEST photo sessions I have ever had was the one where GenX and Baby Boomer just forgot the world and lived in their own laughing! If you have a parent and would like a session - I promise you , I am always here to do that with you!
