Christy Williams

Are you following along our little group of 12  photographers?

Together we share one very simple goal…. To capture our own families from a true life perspective, unscripted and raw. To create photographs which represent the true dynamic of our families and share them here on our blogs.  This deeply personal project we share is called, “What ______ looks like.”  Each month we will each choose to fill in that blank with our word of choice. Some may stick with the same word all year or some may decide to change it up each month. We will each link to the next photographer until our circle of 12 is complete.  I hope you will follow our little circle and enjoy this peek into our lives as well as feel inspired to start recording your own family’s unique moments.

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When your very first baby is placed in your arms, you wish for a manual with instructions on how to care for them. When they become teenagers, you wish for a different guide. Not so much for yourself, but one in which to pass onto them, with instructions for navigating life in all its complexities.

Jesse, my first born, turns 17 today. And I find myself in a panic. In one more year he will be an adult, college bound. Did I do enough to prepare him? Did I lead and guide him well, teach and give him the tools to succeed, allow his mistakes and challenges to mold him into a young man of character? Did I take enough pictures? Well that is a big fat no on the later, sadly.

In such a fast paced social media driven world, how do you stay one step ahead of them? How dare you even act like you “understand” what they are going through….even tho you know that parts of your own teen life experiences are somehow relevant enough to compare. I do my best to draw from my past to guide him, but even as torturous as it was and with all the advice I have to give, I cannot help but wonder if my words are actually sinking in.

We’re close, Jess and I. (Thank you God!) That doesn’t mean we always see eye to eye or that I don’t nag the heck out of him over the daily stuff. But I’ve learned when to give him space and when to press. Still learning how to let go sometimes, and not meddle or fix things for him. That I have found, to be one of the most difficult things to do as a parent.

Some days I find him like this. Sitting on his bed with the weight of the world hanging around his shoulders.

Choices, emotions, expectations, responsibilities, uncertainties, chaos, facebook, college, disappointments, the future. (Sound familiar?)  All these things lead to a lot of in depth conversations between him, his dad and I.  So I asked him on this particular day, sensing his need for some encouragement, if I could photograph him during one of our chats. He said yes. A little stunned that he was actually ok with me taking his picture, I decided to shoot with film which, for me, removes the distraction of checking the back of my camera and restricts me to a limited number of frames, keeping my focus solely on him.

My wonderful mom gave me some sage advice one evening while listening to me fret over these frantic teen years….. Just get them through it. How very simple. I find myself thinking those five easy words when things get rough, when I am racked with worry, compromising on things I never imagined I would. Just get him through it. Day by day, moment by moment, from the joys to the drama….just get him through to the other side. Safe, intact, whole and above all else, ready.

So Happy Birthday my son. Seems like just yesterday I was hearing your heart beat for the first time. Every year I get to relive the wonder of this special day and I am bursting with pride for the young man you are becoming. And all this weight you’ve been carrying around in your head, it is just a sign of how much you care. You are wise beyond your years. Your music fills my soul. Your laughter and sense of humor invigorates me. I know that you will find your way in this world. My hope for you is that no matter where life takes you or which career path you choose, you will always find joy. Be true to yourself and know that you are loved just as dearly now as the day you were born.

All images captured with a Mamiya 645 pro TL | Film choice Fuji Pro 400H

The rest of the month was instagram….

Next in our circle, and new to our group this month, is the incredibly talented leah zawadzki | lilyblue.  Her work is exquisite, and inspirational. Hope you will sit back and enjoy all the posts for this month and follow the links until our circle is complete.