Do you have a family table where you enjoy your meals? Where you have a quiet coffee in the morning before the kids are up? Or a cheeky glass of wine at after the kids are asleep? A table where you throw your mail/groceries/bags on when you walk in the house? A table where you gather to celebrate birthdays and holidays? A table where homework, crafts and work gets done? A table where you sit with a friend and talk over a cuppa? A table where you kiss the kids goodbye at before they run out the door? A table where conversations are shared, laughter is had, tears are shed at? A table that holds your memories???

If you answered yes, I want to capture it!

Sixty years ago, the average dinnertime was 90 minutes. Today, it is less than 12 minutes.

For many, family mealtime has been lost in our overscheduled lives.  School, work schedules and extracurricular activities can make it difficult to find time to eat together and some go days or weeks without sitting down as a family to share a meal.

Family meals offer the opportunity to spend time together, reconnect after a busy day, communicate with and listen to each other, share values and ideas, and problem solve. Family meals also contribute to traditions that tie families together. A special food for a birthday celebration, a favorite place to eat for special occasions, a cultural or ethnic food unique to the family’s heritage – these become traditions that provide meaning and context to children as they grow.

I want to explore the family table and how it is used today. All that happens around it, and the MANY memories it holds.

I’m looking for one family for a long-term commitment of at least one year for me to come into your home at various times of the day to capture AROUND THE TABLE.

These sessions will be entirely unscripted, unposed, undirected. I will simply shadow your family on a normal day and document the story unfolding at your table. This style is sometimes known as family photojournalism.

For these free sessions, you will be required to sign a model release for all family members, so that I may use the images in my portfolio, on my website and social media, as well as a model release for them to be used in my stock portfolio. As a thank-you for helping me, you will receive all of the high-resolution digital files from our sessions, as well as a printed album with the images at the end of the year.

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

• Sessions will be short (15-20 min) and will take place at least once a month for the year. They will be scheduled in advance, but will take place at different times of the day (early morning through to evening).

• Families can be traditional, step-families, same-sex, or single parents, but must have at least two or more children.

• Ethnic diversity is important and I welcome family traditions as part of the everyday story.

• Good natural light near your table is a must.

• Families must live within 20 minutes from Mornington.

If you are interested in applying for these free sessions, please fill out the form below.

I will be accepting applications for the next few weeks and will make my decisions based on my portfolio needs, and as such applicants may be asked to submit photos of their family and home. Thank you for your interest and I look forward to learning more about you and your family’s table!