It was the Monday after Thanksgiving weekend, and I was a bit lost. I couldn’t figure the school maze out to room number 56. It was not the typical setting I usually photograph; you know the ones full of lush greenery or interesting architecture scapes. This one had a grainy sandbox, muraled rooms, soccer fields and playgrounds. I had been invited to participate in a Winter Carnival hosted by the Family Center of Venetia Valley. My subject kids ten years and younger. When my aunt contacted me about a month ago and asked me if I was interested in photographing an annual event for the family and children they serve at the Family Center, I chuckled because Victor and I were talking about doing something memorable for the season–something different. Photographing the kids, the families, and their seasonal craftsmanship was the perfect way to kick off the Merry season.

I came in expecting nothing but Holiday cheer and I didn’t get it. Instead, I saw joy, friendship, years of relationship, loud laughter, intense glittering focus and the huddles of mothers exchanging the latest all in one room. Everybody was so familiar with each other that I felt I had walked in on a private affair. It wasn’t until Jessica, the Director of the Family Center, pointed out that many moms and kids knew each other since kindergarten. They were all growing up together. Jessica told me a little bit about her journey and how grateful she was to be part of this tight-knit community. After her years of being a kindergarten teacher, she moved on from being in contact with a dozen families to 700 families. She described how honored she was to experience the growth of individuals she sees every day. Jessica and Roxana (my aunt) described how the Family Center is a bridge for the support of parents, thus the students. They help with accessing local resources that can be of benefit to the families and children.

I was also honored to have many mothers come all dolled up for their pictures. With the inconsistent sun rays being shaded by the clouds, I harnessed my abilities to make the photographing fun and enjoyable. Needless to say, I didn’t do very much. In fact, every person already radiated with gratefulness for getting their picture taken. I am humbled to be able to gift the Venetia Valley Family Center portraits for their families and kids. I hope that maybe one day of the younger babies can see what an impact centers like the Family Center have on the students’ success and the duty to give back whenever possible.

Thank you, Jessica, Roxana, and Karla. Your students have such energy and character. Your gathering reminded me of the after-school programs that helped me to get that extra help on the vigorous subjects like math and English. You also reminded how inspired I was by my 4th-grade teacher who told me I’d be working on a newspaper one day. Maybe it wasn’t very much, but I hope that maybe these pictures will remind your students one day too.

Comments

comments