Shutter Sisters

Capturing Memories

By

 

 I am drawn to the elderly like some people are drawn to babies.  Growing up, I had my great-grandmother in my life for the first 33 years until she passed away thirteen years ago at the age of 96.  At that time I was busy with my career and starting my family but now, all these years later, I wish I would have taken the time to sit with her more, ask her questions about her life, listen to her stories.  I am lucky enough though, to still have my 90 year old grandmother in my life.  As well as asking her questions and listening to her stories, I want to capture the memories as well, so I now photograph her.  Her eyes, her face, her hands…they tell their own story, too. 

A year ago in Rangefinder magazine I read a very moving article on photographer Steve Bedell and how he came to photograph the elderly in a healthcare facility that he calls ‘the forgotten generation’.  The photographs he took were then given to the family members of those that were in the facility.  What a wonderful way to help keep the memories alive for the recipients of those beautiful photographs.

We’ve all taken pictures that have moved us, maybe even enough to give them to those who we know will cherish them.  Please share the photos that move you.  We’d love to see them. 

Comments

  1. I think elderly people’s faces are beautiful, too – so much history etched into every line and wrinkle! The photographer Philip Toledano made a gorgeous series of photographs of his elderly father, who suffered from dementia. You can see them at http://www.dayswithmyfather.com/ (use your mousewheel to click to the next photograph).

  2. Thank You. To the author. To the first comment left on this post.
    In a funny round about day, You’ve made my day with this post and the link to Philip Toledano’s Site.

  3. @ indigo I loved that site too. It had me laughing and wanting to cry too. thanks for sharing.

    I photographed an 87 year old Yupik Native woman for her daughters. We used to live out in the bush and would visit her often she was a load of laughs and full of wisdom. I have had the photos to private but changed it so you can see them. They are some of my favorite portraits I have ever done.

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/leacayoung/3058007278/in/photostream/?addedcomment=1#comment72157623293682496

  4. This is a beautiful post and image. I also loved Philips documentation of his elderly father. Very moving.
    I don’t have any images of elderly people, but what I’d like to share are some tender moments of a young family that were quite moving to me. I really love to watch the pure joy flowing from new parents as they adore everything about their baby.

    http://www.whimsicalyearsphotography.com/blog/1372/moments-that-stir-the-heart-maine-lifestyle-photographer/

  5. I’ve been consciously trying to photograph my dad more. (Not that he’s elderly…my, would he balk at that idea.) It’s always more natural somehow to photograph the kids…but I love some of the shots I’ve gotten of my dad. They mean a lot! Thanks for letting me share…
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/ko2008/2256041985/in/set-72157603894867029/
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/ko2008/2331096185/in/set-72157603894867029/
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/ko2008/3683806627/in/set-72157603894867029/
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/ko2008/4227367906/in/set-72157603894867029/

  10. I took this photo 25 years ago with my little instamatic camera. We were in a train station in Taiwan and saw this elderly couple…she was hunched over with age, almost double. He stood tall and straight and guided her along holding her hand–and carrying her purse. Usually in Taiwan, the elderly were very suspicious of foreigners, but when I wanted to take their picture he gave me a huge smile. So unusual. It’s one of my favorites, even though it’s in poor shape.

    http://www.ayearofhappy.com/2010/01/my-favorite-photo.html

    Be sure to click on it so you can see it up close 🙂

  15. I will spending some time at home very soon and this is a great idea. My grandmother will probably not be pleased with a camera taking tons of photos, but she’s 81 this year—time to do these things. My grandfather is in similar shape.

  16. Such a touching post. I, like you, have always been drawn to the elderly (especially since I didn’t grow up with grandparents) and have wanted to start visiting retirement homes just to hear stories and visit them and let them know that someone out there knows and cares. My boyfriend and I are talking of even writing down their memories for them in visiting them so that the stories can carry on and be passed onto their families. Just an idea I’ve had and want to do but I’m so terminally shy I need to first get the courage to take the first step.

  18. My mom told me to take time to sit and talk to my grandma because you will learn a lot in her stories and all the advices that she could give will surely help me.

  20. I’ve always lived far away from both sets of grandparents (and one set passed away before I finished high school), so now that I’m getting older I find myself drawn more and more to older people, and the experiences that are written across their faces. This gentleman I passed by last fall captivated me, and I didn’t want to bother him since he seemed to be so popular among the people that were at this event, but I couldn’t help snapping this shot: http://www.flickr.com/photos/trudem/4054983174/in/set-72157622686450894/