Each year during her childhood, Jenna Marshall would house-sit for the same family, and every visit left her captivated by their tradition of capturing photographs. On each child’s birthday, the parents would gather their kids in front of a specific tree in their yard, alongside the family dogs, to snap a picture. “The children changed, the dogs changed. I remember one year they even got a puppy,” she shares. These “significant photos,” as she calls them, have always held a special place in her heart.
One of the most famous instances of such photos comes from photographer Nathaniel Chase, who, in 1976, spontaneously asked his wife’s sisters if he could take their picture. Like many significant photos, this moment occurred by chance. He took another picture of them the following year during one sister’s graduation and suggested they stand in the same order. For the next thirty-eight years, he continued this tradition, and the collection was displayed at the Museum of Modern Art in November 2014.
Jenna’s own journey with significant photos began unexpectedly. When her youngest daughter, Lily, was born via scheduled C-section, the family didn’t know if they were having a boy or a girl. While her husband, Tom, picked up their eldest daughter, Emma, from preschool, Jenna’s mother—lovingly called Gigi—stayed with her and the newborn. When Tom brought Emma to the hospital, she exclaimed, “I have a SISTER!” and they captured that quintessential big sister moment: Emma, holding Lily, with a look that says, “What do I do with this?” as she was wrapped up snugly.
On Lily’s second birthday, the girls insisted on taking a special birthday photo. By then, Emma was 5 and knew exactly what she wanted, so Jenna happily obliged. When she shared the new photo on social media, she was astonished by how closely it mirrored the one taken on Lily’s birth day. Thus, the tradition of significant photos was born.
Since that day, Jenna has continued to capture images of her daughters in the same pose. “I joke about making them do this when they turn 30,” she laughs. “It’s been a joy to observe how they change in size, especially as Lily transitions from being a baby to matching Emma.” With Emma now 7 ½ and Lily just turned 4, even a bout of pneumonia couldn’t stop Jenna from taking that crucial photo this year, with Gigi stepping in to help.
Jenna cherishes these significant photographs, stating, “They’re adorable, but they hold more meaning than that.” Each year, even though it’s Lily’s birthday, they reflect on how that day also marks the moment Emma became a big sister, reinforcing familial bonds. These images capture more than just two sisters; they symbolize their evolving relationship and the changes that come with growing up. “One day, they’ll be teenagers, and that will be something special,” Jenna muses.
This trend of recreating childhood photos has gained immense popularity online, showcasing the blend of nostalgia and humor. Some of these recreated images are downright bizarre, yet undeniably endearing.
For Jenna, these photos serve as markers of time. “Looking at the pictures of Emma as a baby, it’s hard to believe she was younger than Lily is now in that photo,” she reflects. Many families track growth on walls, which can be lost during moves, but photographs endure. They provide a tangible way to relive memories, evoking nostalgia and a spectrum of emotions. It’s a beautiful way to document the gradual passage of time without lamenting its effects, allowing one to witness the delightful journey of their children growing up.
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In summary, recreating childhood photos is a heartwarming trend that celebrates familial bonds while marking the passage of time. As families engage in this nostalgic practice, they capture fleeting moments that highlight growth, relationship dynamics, and cherished memories.