A
PHOTOGRAPHIC JOURNEY INWARD
by Sean Cayton
Freelance Photographer
Some of the most meaningful and most important images of my career
as a photojournalist were made this past year.
They were images from a story that wouldn’t make it into
Time’s photos of the year. It wouldn’t qualify as an
entry in any of the Best of...photo competitions. Its important
to only a handful of people.
But I’m sure the images will remain with me and in my portfolio
for a long, long time to come.
On April 20, my wife Cathy gave birth to our daughter Abigail Chase
Cayton.
Abigail
was born at home in our upstairs bedroom at 7:59 p.m.
She weighed 6 lbs, 13 oz and arrived with a full head of deep
brown hair.
In the company
of two midwives and one mother-in-law and with the help of a single
maglight, I photographed our daughter's arrival
17 hours after Cathy started her labor.
Having
a baby at home is an incredible experience. An experience I will
remember and cherish for a lifetime. And I have the
pictures to prove it.
.
After the birth, Cathy
enjoyed a brief maternity leave. And when she returned to work,
I began my responsibilities as a stay-at-home dad
A child means change, not just in lifestyle but in work as well.
As the weeks and months have passed the nature of my work has
changed. I have turned the camera inward.
We
are cherishing every moment of life with our new baby and I’m
grateful to be able to document our child and her changes
and the joy she brings to both our families.
With her arrival and the changing focus of my work, comes contemplation.
I ask myself almost daily: Why do I practice photojournalism?
What am I trying to accomplish? Who really cares about this other
than
me?
I never answer these questions completely.
The birth of my daughter and the photographs that are capturing
her first days reassure me.
Practicing photojournalism is worthwhile and rewarding even when
its important to only a handful of people.
Sean Cayton
Sean@caytonphotography.com http://www.caytonphotography.com
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