Family Photography Now

Sophie Howarth is a writer, teacher, curator and entrepreneur based in London. Co-founder of the School of Life, she has also been Curator of Public Programmes at Tate Modern and an Associate Curator for Artangel.
Stephen McLaren is a photographer, writer and curator based in Los Angeles. He is the co-author of three previous Thames & Hudson titles: Street Photography Now, Photographers' Sketchbooks and Family Photography Now.

A beautiful and moving anthology exploring the complex dynamics of contemporary family life.

Forty international photographers present pictures, albums and archives, many never previously published in book form. They explore relationships between brothers and sisters, parents and children, step-families and in-laws, outcasts and adoptees. Featured projects include Birte Kaufman's award-winning images of Irish travellers, Magnum member Trent Parke's darkly amusing shots of his family in suburban Australia, Nadia Sablin's elegy to her elderly aunts living in rural Russia, and Elina Brotherus's devastating records of failed IVF.

Two critically engaging essays address how photographs have become an essential tool for families to lay down memories, reinforce identities and understand emotional attachments.

A bold and brave book that will captivate everyone curious about other people's lives, and all those who turn to photography to celebrate or make sense of their own family.

This critically engaging anthology explores the ways in which photographers from across the globe are viewing the complicated dynamics of family life. The book is divided into two parts: Our Own Families and Other Peoples Families. Each section includes an essay, analysing the complex attachments between brothers and sisters, parents and children, step-families and in-laws, outcasts and adoptees. Around forty international photographers are interviewed and present their individual pictures, albums and archives, many never previously published in book form. Whether Birte Kaufmans award-winning images of Irish travellers, Magnum member Trent Parkes darkly amusing shots of his family in suburban Australia, Nadia Sablins elegy to her elderly aunts living in rural Russia, or Elina Brotheruss devastating records of failed IVF, this book takes readers on powerful journeys and enables them to reflect on how they photograph their own families.

Introduction - Our Own Families - Other People's Families