Over the holidays I was invited to photograph an intimate and, in my mind, historic event: the 100th birthday of a family matriarch. As I travelled to the home in Hudson where the party was being held on a bright and sunny day after a huge snowstorm, I passed an overturned car on the highway and was reminded of the fragility of life and the importance of family. I was especially motivated to do a great job for my client covering his grandmother’s 100th birthday that afternoon in Hudson. As part of the coverage, I set up a small studio in one of the large bedrooms on the ground floor so that each individual family (as well as all eight great-grandchildren!) could have a chance to be photographed with the guest of honour.
During the lunch the birthday star was asked about her life as a young child, growing up in a time when horses were the main mode of transportation and international travel was done by long, ocean-crossing boat voyages. It was inspiring to witness the occasion and to be able to contribute portraits of lasting value to the families. A great way to end 2012 and ring in the new year.