Every year during her childhood, Hannah Blake would care for the same family’s home, and each time, she was touched by a series of photographs they took: two new pictures for each child’s birthday. On these special days, the parents would line up their kids in front of the same tree in the yard, along with their dogs, and capture the moment. “The kids would change, and so would the dogs. I remember one year they got a puppy,” Blake shares. These cherished “touchstone photos,” as she calls them, have always held deep significance for her.
We’ve all encountered such heartwarming snapshots. Renowned photographer David Anderson famously started a similar tradition in 1976 when he whimsically asked his wife’s sisters if he could photograph them. This spontaneous idea led to annual portraits that he continued for thirty-eight years, showcasing their growth and changes. His work was later featured at the Museum of Modern Art in November 2014.
For Hannah, her own touchstone photo tradition began unexpectedly. After a scheduled C-section for her second daughter, Lily, they didn’t know if she would be a boy or a girl. With her mother, affectionately called Grandma Jo, by her side, Hannah’s husband, Tom, picked up their eldest daughter, Ella, from preschool to share the exciting news that she had a sister. “Ella was ecstatic, shouting, ‘I have a SISTER!’” Hannah recalls. They rushed to the hospital to meet the newborn, capturing the quintessential big sister moment: Ella holding Lily with a mixture of wonder and uncertainty.
The tradition of touchstone photos kicked off on Lily’s second birthday when Ella insisted on recreating the special birthday photo. By then, Ella was 5 ½ and knew exactly what she wanted. When Hannah posted the new photograph online, she was taken aback by how closely it mirrored the one taken on Lily’s birth day. Thus, the annual tradition began.
Since then, Hannah has been capturing the girls in the same pose each year. “I jokingly say I’ll keep this going until they turn 30,” she laughs. “It’s been a joy to witness their growth, with Lily gradually becoming closer in size to Ella.” Now, Ella is 8, and Lily has just turned 5. Despite being bedridden with a cold this year, Hannah was determined to take that significant touchstone photo, with Grandma Jo stepping in to help.
These photos are not just adorable; they chart the passage of time. “Looking back at Ella’s baby face in those pictures, it’s hard to believe she was younger than Lily is now,” Hannah reflects. The bittersweet nature of watching her youngest reach the same age as her oldest once was hits home. Many families create growth charts, but those can easily get lost when relocating. In contrast, photographs remain a tangible reminder of those precious moments.
Collecting these images evokes nostalgia and joy, making it a beautiful way to reflect on the fleeting nature of time. They allow families to celebrate their children’s growth with warmth, rather than sadness.
This sentiment resonates beyond Hannah’s family; the internet is filled with amusing and heartfelt recreated childhood photos. Some are undeniably quirky and hilarious, but they all serve as reminders of the bond between siblings and the inevitable passage of time.
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In summary, recreating childhood photos is a delightful trend that captures the essence of family relationships and the inevitable changes that come with time. These snapshots become treasured keepsakes, allowing us to appreciate the journey of growing up.