Dear Photograph, Oh, the simple times of being young. To not worry about getting my hair wet or being able to bend over not knowing what agony I might face when I stand back up. These were times before my first love, my first heartbreak, my tumultuous youth; before I ever dreamed of being a mother, going to college, and just surviving life. I had no idea what my life story would be. I was just a little girl playing in a sprinkler. - Erika
Dear Photograph, When I was a child in Germany my Grandpa used to take me for a walk and always hold my hand. - Willi
Dear Photograph, We found it! The mystery location of my father’s photograph on a mountain range only said “Continental Divide, 1980” on the back of the photo. After a year, internet sleuths were able to help me find this beautiful location: Triple Divide Pass in Glacier National Park, Montana. Which has over 700 trails! This one was pretty remote. Amazing to find it. On Sep 27, 2022 my friend and I stood in the same spot as my Dad, 42 years later. Sprinkled some of his ashes here. Definitely with us in spirit. Love you, Dad! #alwaysthere #pkb
Dear Photograph,
Our family often went to Laguna Beach. We did so in 1968, when my grandmother visited from the Netherlands. I’ve had to say good-bye to my mom and my Oma, but with this picture I could bring them together with my daughter. How they would have adored one another. And so our tradition continues, 53 years later.
Love, Karen
Dear Photograph, my Dad took this photo of you in February of 1984. I was a one-year-old and it was the first time I ever saw snow in Italy. I still have that red jacket that my Mom bought me in the closet. I miss you Mom.
Love,
Lorenzo
Dear Photograph,
The roles have reversed but you’re still the best woman in my life.
Love, Pav
Dear Photograph,
Thank you for showing us all how to love for the long haul.
Love, John
Dear Photograph, My grand-father served in World War 2. After he passed away I ended up with a shoebox full of his old photos. After many failed attempts to research and find the location of this photograph, years later I ended up discovering the location while browsing through the photographs of Airbnb listings when planning a trip to Italy. I then got to stand in the same spot that he did, 72 years apart.
Dear Photograph,
Your house was always my first and favorite stop. You helped create so many of my Halloween costumes, Nanny. These little memories will be with me forever.
Sarah
Dear Photograph, My grandpa at the Inn at Sils in Switzerland in 1940, tried his luck fishing without a reel. He caught some big trout! - Peter
Dear Photograph, I’ll never forget all the summers we went for bike rides together. This was the first of many. And now you’re gone I am only left with the valuable life lessons you have taught me. Teaching me to ride a bike was the first and most valuable. To never, ever quit. If you fall down you fight to get back up and try again until you are the best you can be. Your 10 year battle with cancer has been an inspiration to me and many others. You defied all odds and fought with a smile on your face every single day. You were and always will be my hero. R.I.P Dad - Scott
Dear Photograph, In 1935 my great-great grandfather rode through Middelburg, Netherlands and was known to all as the town butcher. Today, when the elderly ladies see this photo hanging on the lunchroom wall, they talk of how he would give them a piece of ham when they were little girls and came into his store with their mums . I would love to walk back in time, right up to his counter, and have him give me a piece of ham…and advice. - Helen
Dear Photograph, a 1957 summer picnic in the park with the women in my family and my dad, the prolific amateur photographer, capturing the moment. I am the young child in the seat hooked onto the table and have only an imagined memory of this moment. The exploration in this space was powerful as I remembered these women who have all gone before me. As I took in the sights, sounds, and smells, I was thankful both to you, my photograph, as well as to my father for his diligence in capturing our family stories through the years. A salute to these women who taught me to be strong through both their living and their dying. May I honor their legacy through the next generations.
Dear Photograph, Time flies. Cherish every moment while it lasts, for it will soon be gone before you know it. -Olivia
dear-photograph:
Dear Photograph,
I was astounded, but I hadn’t had time to consider what I was seeing.
Mark Yokoyama
