This month’s one roll turned out a bit different than I expected. My mom got sick and ended up in the hospital with a nasty lung infection, which is scary during any time but in Covid times it was terrifying. We loaded up the kids and made the journey from Washington to Michigan. It was a long 4 days of driving but we got to Michigan and spent time with family. This roll was split over the course of two days, maybe three, it was a whirlwind of travel and honestly the days all blended together. Even though I didn’t follow the one day part of this project, this single roll of film means the world to me. I stayed at my Grandmother’s house, the house that I spent a large portion of my childhood at. I hadn’t been back to Michigan since her funeral five years ago, but walking in felt like I was stepping back in time to my childhood. I am so happy I got to document parts of her house.
The roll also captures the act of pulling out of the driveway before we started our journey home. Ever since I was a little kid, when family left, they were walked to their car and we would all wave goodbye from the driveway. I don’t see many people doing that in Washington and I am guilty of letting that tradition slide when visitors leave our house. As we pulled out of my sister’s driveway, looking at my family waving goodbye was bittersweet and even though I missed the focus on one (focusing through tears is hard), I treasure what I was able to capture.
All photos were captured using the Nikon F6 and Kodak Tri-X 400 film. Developed and scanned at home.
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Oh Charlene these are beautiful! I am so sorry to hear about your mom’s health being the reason for this trip, but the trip is nevertheless beautiful and sentimental and full of memories. When we are in the midst of a crisis it can be so difficult to feel motivated to be creative, but you did it anyway and these shots are not just stunning to look at but will mean so much for years to come.
These are incredible! I’m so sorry about your mom, I hope she is doing better. I love that waving tradition–I saw a project once of someone taking photos of her mom waving goodbye on the driveway for 20 years or something! What in the world is that regrets card?? So so interesting.
LOVE the story these tell Charlene!! And they’re so timeless in b+w! So beautiful!