Photography
2024 Project: Shelf Memories
After two years of only focusing on writing, I've decided to focus on a photography project I've had on my mind for a while as I wait for some work to wrap up. This new project, entitled 'Shelf Memories', focuses on one of my favourite parts about used books; the love notes or annotations scrawled into the first new pages. This personal touch always adds to the history of the book in my mind and I love the little insights it gives into the relationships between people. It always feels deeply personal; leaving me to wonder why the book ended up on these shelves and what happened to these people.
Shelf Memories, the project, is officially described below:
"Shelf Memories is a nostalgic photo series that explores the relationship between giver and recipient through the medium of books given as gifts. In the first pages of a book often nestles a handwritten notes from which we catch a brief yet intimate insight into the bond between people. The notes, paired with a cover image of the book, reveal the giver's intentions; from early nursery rhythms and children's Bibles to cookbooks and self-help. The handwriting style and word choice often add to these glimpses of a different life. No matter how important they were, the books are eventually outgrown and succumb to thrift store and community library shelves where they are found and photographed; the final resting place for many words chosen with care, signed with love, and given in hope. Relationships past and children grown, all that remains is a handwritten note, more often than not from XOXO Nana & Pops."
I'm excited to swap hours staring at black words on a white page for something a little more visually stimulating for a time! Sharing snippets of other people's stories may even improve my own. Click the link above to be taken to my Flickr album of the project.
My favourite and most fascinating books/ notes will be added to my homepage blog as individual 'memories'. Check out a few below:
Back I go behind the lens and return to my second love; photography.
Published Photography
- The Cold Moon Journal | B&W 'Raindrop' | July 2024 Issue