"Ooman Binya," delves into the timeless connection between family, heritage, and the land on Hilton Head Island. This series captures the essence of my familial ties to the island, exploring the nuanced interplay of identity, memory, and the profound sense of belonging that permeates through generations.
Hilton Head Island serves as a poignant backdrop for this hometown of my grandmother and her 10 siblings. My cousins who are featured through this series are a guide through the island. I use their image and perspectives to explore our complex relationship to the most ancestral land we know.
At the heart of "Ooman Binya" are the intimate and evocative portraits of my two cousins. Through careful consideration of composition, lighting, and mood, I sought to capture the nuanced emotions that play across their faces – a reflection of the shared history, stories, and memories embedded in their beings. The portraits serve as a bridge between the past and the present, weaving together threads of personal narratives that span generations.
In the process of creating this series, I discovered that the landscape itself holds an indelible imprint of our family's history. The photographs extend beyond the confines of human subjects, offering glimpses of the land that has been a silent witness to the joys, sorrows, and triumphs of our ancestors.
Most of the land depicted in the series is not just any plot; it has belonged to my family for generations. These ancestral grounds have witnessed the growth of relationships, the passing of time, and the endurance of familial bonds. Each photograph serves as a visual marker, narrating a chapter in the ongoing story of my connection to Hilton Head. From sprawling live oaks with draping Spanish moss to the sandy shores bathed in golden sunlight, the images encapsulate the island's distinct natural beauty while simultaneously honoring the presence of my family’s deep roots on the island.
The act of documenting my cousins on Hilton Head Island became an exploration of identity. The juxtaposition of their contemporary presence against the backdrop of historical land imparts a sense of continuity and resilience. It is a celebration of where we come from, a recognition of the island's influence on our character, and a testament to the enduring power of familial ties.
"Ooman Binya" is not merely a collection of images; it is a visual narrative that seeks to immortalize the essence of familial heritage and the intrinsic link between people and place. Through the lens of my camera, I hope to invite viewers to contemplate their own connections to the past, urging them to explore the significance of ancestral lands and the stories embedded within them. In doing so, I aim to evoke a sense of nostalgia, a yearning for connection, and an appreciation for the enduring beauty that emerges when the past and present intertwine.