I had the honour of having my Mom in studio with her sisters a couple of weeks ago. They had set out years ago to do a sibling session every decade, but as with many good intentions, they fell by the wayside to other pressing priorities.
I loved listening to their stories of what it was like to grow up as FOUR sisters and zero brothers. I have two older brothers, so I didn't have to share my clothes or my room, hand me down's came from my cousin, and I didn't have a playmate for Barbie's (except on the rare occasion when I could loop my brother Ian into joining me). I remember G.I. Joe's lined up in the hallway preparing for battle and WWF wrestlers tossed in the air with make-shift parachutes made from grocery bags.
Sister Love
I loved documenting their dynamic and how easily they fell in step with one another. Intuitively, knowing what the other needed and offering support or humour. They shared many laughs, cheered each other on when it was their turn to do solo shots, and revisited the heartache of losing one of their own while honouring their sister in a meaningful way.
Sister Loss
The monarch butterfly symbolizes the sister they lost and how they now carry her memory forward through time. We will often see a single monarch butterfly at events, and we can't help but think she's visiting us to let us know she's still here.
We ended the session at my Aunt's beautiful garden. I have a newfound admiration for adult sibling photography after this experience. We do not reach a certain age and are no longer worthy of being photographed. The historical record of your life shouldn't come to a hard stop. It continues for the benefit of you and your loved ones.
When's the last time you took a photo with your siblings?
