I've always been fascinated with the camera's ability to document the passage of time. Some of the subjects that are included in my identical twins project (soon to become a book) have been photographed more than once. I began the series in 2004, so there are some twins I've been able to photograph over a period of 22 years.
Nicholas Nixon's body of work entitled "The Brown Sisters" has certainly influenced me. I've loved and been inspired by it for many years.
Nixon first photographed his wife Bebe and her three younger sisters in 1975. He did it again the next year and was pleased enough with the photographs that he decided to make it an annual event. They agreed on the series’ two requirements: the sisters would always appear in the same order and they would all have to agree on the selection of the image for the year.
Bebe was 25 when the first picture was made. Her younger sisters were 15 (Mimi), 21 (Laurie) and 23 (Heather). It's impossible not to look away from the their intense gaze into the camera, their body language, their interactions with one another, their honesty and authenticity and, of course, the changes in their appearance. The series is a powerful statement about family, relationships and the passage of time.
The project continued for 47 years. I've selected a few to share. If you're interested, you can find the entire set online.
“We’re all aware of time passing and us not being aware of it as it’s passing,” said Nicholas Nixon about the work.
1976
1977
1978
1980
1982 (above)
1988
1991
1994
1997
1999
2004
2010
2018
2022
