A Moment in TIme

According to Hirsch's "Place and Time," we carry cameras to capture the perfect picture. In many cases, the camera catches more than just the family in the photograph. This gives insight on how the family might live, what kind of furniture is present, or even layout of a home. Through various examples of family photos, Hirsch discusses how the background, or the place can actually become insignificant in comparison to the moment in time. Another idea he suggests is that when the background is blank or plain the people's faces, direction they are looking, hands being gestured, etc all reveal the emotion and bond of the individuals as a family. One of his last points is that the photo is not looked at for the place, because that place has had other moments and various emotions, but it is the moment in time at that very second the photo is taken, that really matters.
In my photo, seen below, you can see me, my son Leon, my boyfriend Stuart, and our dog Duke. Our family is small and is just beginning. Looking at the background, we are in the most common location of photographs taken, the living room. You can see the couch, the throw pillows, one of Leon's blankets, and his toy tucked in the left corner.Looking at the object alone, you can tell that our family has a small child. Looking at our expressions, the smiles are genuine, and our posture is relaxed and comfortable. Stuart is leaning on me, Leon is tucked between us, and I am holding his little hand while Stuart wraps Duke in a hold so he doesn't squirm away. But what happened in that moment in time? Right when the camera captured the moment we will have forever? What you don't see is what happened right before or right aster this was taken. Leon was looking at the camera, but in a split second right before the picture was taken he turned his head in distraction, Duke doing the same. Duke's head turning away shows how hard it has been for him to adjust to having a new baby in the home, and Leon's distraction comes from being in a new place, an undiscovered world. Stu and I look into the camera smiling at the thought of how happy we are to be together in a house as a family. The place means nothing without that moment in time, a moment worth remembering.

My little family.