24 Comments
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Corrine's avatar

I was really moved by that series of family portraits that you shared, Wesley, especially because you shared your story in words. Now this with your father adds to that. Like old film that changed over time, my mental images that surfaced after being submerged for a long time, since I first read this post, have a spotty character, imperfect and almost abstract quality. If I could take photos of the events that DIDN’T happen or that I wasn't a part of, what a collage that would be! I live on the other side of the country from my family and my kids don't know this part of their family very well. I'd love photos of my Mom over time. She's 89 and it was hard to see the changes in her last summer. I took candids of her birthday party and wish I'd taken more.

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Wesley Verhoeve's avatar

So glad you got to take some! Thank you for sharing :)

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Ronald Smeets's avatar

Nice images :) Looks like this is at the Mechelse Heide (NP Hoge Kempen), right? It's a great location for photography!

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Wesley Verhoeve's avatar

Yes! Very well spotted!

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Layla's avatar

My 8-month-old, Djuna (if possible with her mom)! I took a few b&w at the hospital when she was born which came out great. Then I shot badly stored expired film and half of the pictures were interesting, the other half sadly too dark and grainy. But that’s the beauty of it, love the uncertainty, the thrill, and the surprise. There’ll never be too many (good and bad!) photos of them :)

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Wesley Verhoeve's avatar

:) Love it layla!

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Wesley Verhoeve's avatar

PS great name!

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Michael Bornman's avatar

It was a photo of my mom, one of those accidents in the early amateur phase, that really showed me what photography could be. A usually quite reserved woman, enjoying a crazy windstorm and this wild joy captured for a moment started my photo journey. I don't think I've really taken photos of her since, but I will now. Thanks Wesley

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Wesley Verhoeve's avatar

Michael, good news, you were randomly selected as the winner of this giveaway! email me your mailing address when you get a chance.

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Michael Bornman's avatar

Oh wow! I've never won anything before! Thanks!

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Wesley Verhoeve's avatar

yay!

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Wesley Verhoeve's avatar

That means a lot, thank YOU Michael

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Paul Votava's avatar

A photo of 4 generations, my father being the oldest and passed away 2 years ago. It has so much more significance now.

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Wesley Verhoeve's avatar

That's so special Paul, thank you for sharing.

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debbie kim's avatar

First person that comes to mind is my mother. She’s getting older and I want to capture as many moments as possible.

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Wesley Verhoeve's avatar

I hope you do Debbie!

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Martha Burzynski's avatar

My friends, always.

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Wesley Verhoeve's avatar

Chosen family :)

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Chris Hale's avatar

The first person to come to mind is my father. My parents were over for dinner last night and he was talking about his latest health issues and I realized I don’t have many recent photos of him.

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Wesley Verhoeve's avatar

I hope from now on there will be lots :)

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Andrew Hager's avatar

It might be an obvious answer but the first people to come to mind are my kids. Gotta try to capture them just as they are since

they are going to be different people someday.

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Wesley Verhoeve's avatar

Love that! My father got a camera originally to take pictures of his first born (me) and that blossomed into a whole journey of photography, and now his son is a photographer. :)

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Corrine's avatar

This chain of shared remembrances feels a bit like one of those dance-in-circle things we'd do in high school or out in a dance club... not to show off but to show up.

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Apr 20
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Wesley Verhoeve's avatar

Wow that's a great story Steve, and also lovely about the photo friend!

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