Catherine Jameson recalls the annual ritual of housesitting for a family during her childhood. Each year, she was captivated by a unique photo tradition they maintained: on every child’s birthday, the parents positioned their children in front of the same tree in their yard, accompanied by their dogs, to capture their growth over time. “The children would change, and so would the dogs,” she reflects, remembering one year when they welcomed a puppy into the mix. These “touchstone photos,” she shares, have always held a special significance for her.
The concept of touchstone photographs is not new. In 1976, photographer Nathaniel Grayson spontaneously asked his wife’s sisters if he could take their picture. This seemingly casual request turned into a tradition when he captured another image of them at a graduation a year later, suggesting they maintain the same arrangement. For the next thirty-eight years, he continued this practice, with the collection eventually showcased at the Museum of Modern Art in November 2014.
Catherine’s own journey with touchstone photos began serendipitously. When her younger daughter, Lily, was delivered via C-section, the family had been anticipating a surprise. While her husband, Mark, went to pick up their eldest daughter, Emma, from preschool, he shared the exciting news that she was now a big sister. Emma’s exuberance was palpable as she exclaimed, “I have a SISTER!” They rushed to the hospital to introduce her to Lily, capturing that quintessential big sister moment: Emma holding Lily with a mix of awe and uncertainty, embodying the classic “What do I do with this?” expression, wrapped snugly like a burrito.
On Lily’s second birthday, the girls insisted on recreating that special newborn photograph. By then, Emma had matured to 5 ½ years and was eager to pose again. When Catherine shared the new picture on social media, she was astonished by the striking resemblance to the original photo taken on Lily’s birth day. Thus, a cherished family tradition was born.
Since then, every year, Catherine has continued to photograph her daughters in the same pose, joking that she’ll still be doing it when they reach their 30s. “It’s been a joy to witness how they grow and change,” she laughs. At present, Emma is 7 ½, and Lily has just turned 4. Even when Catherine was recovering from pneumonia, she made sure to fulfill the annual ritual, with her mother, affectionately known as Gigi, helping out.
These touchstone photos are not just cute snapshots; they symbolize the evolving dynamic between the sisters. “Every year, we reflect on how it was the day Emma became a big sister, which adds depth to the celebration,” Catherine explains. This process not only honors Lily’s birthday but also emphasizes their familial bond, which is paramount in Catherine’s family. The images capture more than mere growth; they encapsulate the essence of their relationship—transforming as they age while remaining sisters.
The internet is awash with similar recreations of childhood photos, evoking a mix of nostalgia and laughter. Some are downright amusing, while others may seem a bit peculiar. For Catherine, these images serve as a poignant reminder of time passing. “Looking at the earlier photos of Emma’s baby face, it’s hard to believe she was younger than Lily is now in that same picture,” she reflects. Many parents track growth on walls, but those charts often get lost during moves. In contrast, these photos endure, allowing families to reminisce and celebrate their journeys through time.
In conclusion, recreating childhood photographs not only captures the sweetness of growing up but also serves as a beautiful way to reflect on the passage of time—celebrating milestones without the sorrow of change.