The Wabi-Sabi of documentary family photography
"Wabi-sabi nurtures all that is authentic by acknowledging three simple realities: nothing lasts, nothing is finished, and nothing is perfect." - Richard Powell, writer
I recently learned of wabi-sabi; a traditional Japanese world view that centers around the acceptance of imperfection and brevity – and seeing the beauty in it.
Admiring that old building downtown – that's wabi-sabi.
Seeing the beauty in your parents' aging faces – that's wabi-sabi. Finding those old boxes and family albums of yellowing photographs fascinating – that's wabi-sabi.
The concept of wabi-sabi clicked with me right away – the fleeting, perfectly imperfect moments are exactly what I celebrate with the help of documentary family photography.
How did we get it so upside down – applauding the perfect and often orchestrated photographs, when real life is what truly matters? I think Christy Bartlett is onto something here:
"You can't be lazy. It's up to you to see and see something new, to sustain your interest in the world around you. It's not up to the world to entertain you. It requires effort to be interested." - Christy Bartlett, a San Francisco-based tea master talking about her daily practice of looking for something new in a tea bowl she's had for 20+ years
Hilla's in-home newborn session | Documentary photographer based in San Francisco Bay Area
We are so busy, that we forget to stop and really look at the magic in our everyday.
The world will have us believe that we have to look outside of ourselves, to strive for something out there, to get that gold star or to reach happiness. But in Wabi-sabi, you can appreciate the right now, as beautiful and imperfect at the same time.
The way your toddler wobbles over to you.
The way your husband gently strokes your hair.
The way your newborn baby's face wrinkles up when they are upset.
The way your children cozy up to each other in the same bed.
I keep saying, that nothing is more interesting than real life – so let's make sure we capture it for this generation of kiddos – and print it!