jaynel

The Family Home My Grandad designed the home my Dad grew up in - it was an unusual house, a bungalow laid out in a V: the bathroom and bedrooms to the left, the kitchen and living areas to the right. When my Grandma died it sort of froze in time - very little changed in the 30 years I knew it, when we visited each Easter. Over the years I took many photographs of all the little details that I knew so well, little pieces of our family history.  When Grandad died I felt a sense panic that the special place by the sea would be gone, and I needed to document it. I systematically photographed each room, evidence of a time so different from today.  The house is sold and stripped, ready for a new family, new stories, new treasures. But I feel comfort that I can still see how it used to be.

A selection of commissioned images for corporate clients.

In the 30 years I knew it Grandad's house changed very little. It was a unique house that he designed himself in the 50s, a bungalow by the sea built around his family. It was a constant throughout my life - almost frozen in time as the decor changed very little after Grandma died in the late 80s. The toys my Dad and Aunt played with as they grew up, my childhood spade, Grandad's little homemade devices, always where I knew they would be. Over the years I took many photographs of the details I was so fond of, but when Grandad died last year I felt real need to document that special place by the sea, which i put together in a photobook. 

A sample of my work as a professional photographer, my entry to the Close Up: Women in Photo Mentoring Opportunity