Family Photography

Leigh; 37, nurse, single mom

Q: Who are the people in your photos?
A: My son, brother, mother, grandmother, and closest friends.

Q: Why did you take these pictures?
A: It was a fun day of picking pumpkins, it was my grandmother's 98th birthday, it was a spontaneous road trip to Montreal when the Habs were in the playoffs, my son is so cute with his missing tooth, and it was a funny present for my friends.

Q: What will these photos mean when you look back on them years later?
A: I hope we will remember the fun we had. Being able to celebrate such a big birthday together was important. It was such a fun day with my favourite people. Toothless kid pics are classic. All my friends love and quote The Simpsons all the time, so this photo will always make me smile and laugh.

Q: Do you think the term "family" has a static meaning, or can it evolve?
A: It can absolutely evolve. "Family" has never meant blood or biological ties to me. Family has always meant the people in your life who stand beside you through your challenges and celebrations. People grow and relationships change, and that's okay. What's important is that whatever stage of life you're in, you have a group of people you can lean on. That's what family means to me.