In early 1988, my dad, like many other Filipinos, left the Philippines in search of a better life for us.
He found work in the United States. I was 11 months old when he left.
My story is not unique, as there are many like myself whom had parents leave for work in other countries. My dad was very vigilant with keeping in touch, and it really helped cement how close my dad and I are now.
My mother was strong, and I admired the strength she had. She raised two kids on her own, and I watched my parents’ marriage become stronger and stronger. My father wasn’t able to visit often, as plane tickets were extremely expensive coming from Los Angeles to Manila. Funds needed to be better allocated, and plane tickets just were not top priority.
In lieu of visits, my mom would send him prints with notes on the back, captions to describe what was going on during the photos.
It was our way to get to know each other. It was all we had.
When I got my first camera, I admit that it didn’t exactly click with me right away that my children have a huge advantage over my own childhood. My husband and I did not have to be apart from our children and can have jobs where we can come home to our kids on a daily basis (thanks to our parents that have made selfless sacrifices in order to pave exactly these advantages). I spent the first 14 years of my life with a gap in it. My dad came home to the Philippines once a year at most, and we tried to squeeze in as many photos as we can. My mom hired professional photographers occasionally, but most for my birthday, and my dad’s work schedule never really allowed for him to come home around October. So I was left with the majority of my childhood without my father in the photos. We got to know each other just once a year.
When I became a parent myself, my own childhood inspired me to preserve my kids’ lives through photography. Inspiration comes from different places, but this was mine. The gaps and in-between of the daily life were things my dad missed out on. How I wish we had the technology we have now back then, just so he can keep in touch the way we are able to now. I obviously can’t change the past or do anything different, and I know my parents did their absolute best to document what we can of my childhood, but I can preserve my children’s memories now. My specialty for my business is posed portraiture, with a touch of lifestyle, but I can’t help to just do full lifestyle with my kids. It’s actually quite backwards for when I’m documenting my everyday because I want photos of what my dad may have missed out on when I was their age.
My inspiration behind wanting to go beyond what my normal work of posed portraiture when it comes to my children’s photos may be a touch unorthodox, but there will always be that nagging feeling now in the back of my head. I want to look back a few years from now, when they are older, and see their faces during the “regular” days. During days that may be easily deemed as mundane, and just a typical day, those are the days that I know I can easily overlook, but I can do something about it, and I’m glad to have the ability for that. I’m glad to have that privilege. So whether it’s my big camera, my phone, that fear of my kids missing out too on having photos to remember becomes my driving force. My parents can also see how they don’t have to wait long with our connection through social media pages.
Life does go by quickly, I recently watched an episode of Anthony Bourdain during his last visit to the Philippines, and how there are a lot of us out there, that don’t get to know our parents again until we are well into adulthood. And it’s true. My parents have both gone back home, back to enjoy their retirement, and I’m here in America away from them and my brother. There’s 12,000 miles between us. So pictures it is, pictures that will let them now see glimpses of our everyday, and for me to look back at one day.
Find your inspiration, why you have embarked on this photography journey, and hold onto it firmly to drive you to continue.
Winnie Bruce’s personal journey of separation and connection through photography is a powerful reminder of the importance of capturing everyday moments. As a family portrait photographer, her experience fuels her commitment to creating lasting memories for her clients, going beyond posed shots to capture authenticity. Her story highlights the profound impact of preserving memories and finding inspiration in personal experiences.
What a captivating read! Your journey to finding inspiration in unexpected places resonated deeply with me. Your exploration of light and shadow, and how they interplay with the environment, is truly inspiring. How do you approach capturing the essence of these places without simply reproducing clichés or stereotypes?
Looking forward to hearing more about your adventures and insights!
This article is a heartfelt and inspiring reflection on the power of photography to bridge distances and preserve memories. Your story beautifully illustrates how the absence of a loved one can fuel a passion for capturing life’s everyday moments. The mention of using tools like the Remini enhancer to refine and preserve these precious images adds a practical and modern touch, highlighting your dedication to high-quality photography. Your narrative is touching and relatable, reminding us of the importance of documenting even the mundane moments for future generations. Great job on sharing such a personal and moving journey!
Such a captivating read! It’s amazing how inspiration can strike in the most unexpected places. Your story reminds us to keep our eyes and hearts open to the world around us.
Such a heartfelt and inspiring story—thank you for sharing the beauty behind the moments we capture!