A FAMILY PORTRAIT

A series of images of my family: a Family Portrait. Working with Family as subject matter allows and requires me to concentrate on something so close and intimate, so raw and revealing, so personal and important. One may find oneself questioning one's identity, commitment, integrity, respect, friendship and love. I have spent years recording the closer members of my family, photographing them at their respective houses when making visits home to England and here in Italy. With my family/families I am constantly struggling to hold on to everything that happens, by photographing them, almost obsessively, as they are doing what they normally do, in their own spaces, while at the same time trying engage myself in everyday goings on. Sometimes I find myself slowing things down; participating, observing, then suddenly something comes true and it is hard to not spoil the moment. And sometimes I am directing and altering carefully, small details. At others I have to run to keep up.
My niece found out recently she has a serious illness, and while I am concernedly digging away at any information, trying to make sense of it all, the questions also arise of what I am doing in this work and is it always the right thing to do. I am witness to some dramas and some secrets, some laughs and some disagreements and often, to quiet moments and intimate ones. With this approach I hope to reveal my celebration of them, as honestly and fairly as possible, of each and every day we have, and have together.