How They Grow

“All children, except one, grow up.” - J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan.

‘How They Grow’ is a collaboration with my niece and nephew made on a recent trip home to Cornwall.

I’ve photographed Dan & Rosie since they were babies, almost every year of their lives.

This summer, it has finally happened. They are both taller than me. I’m 5’3 so it doesn’t take much but psychologically this feels like a huge shift.

Still kids, but with the physical presence of adults, I was surprised at what a difference it made.

So we roamed the fields around the farm, where they live, and mucked about with apple trees and the golden hour.

Rosie is 12, on the brink of teendom, fluctuating between child and woman as her body and mind grow.

The youngest on the farm, with three older brothers, she has always shown a strength and independence that is totally inspiring.

I remember once, when she was six, following her into a field full of sheep. It was lambing season and one of the ewes hadn’t survived so Rosie’s job was to feed it. She walked and stood in the middle of the field, with a bottle of milk raised high, and this tiny lamb came gambling and bleating towards her.

So calm and confident.

She thinks she’d like to be a veterinary nurse one day.

Daniel will be 14 this autumn. He’s both tall and strong and has done ballet since he was small, until recently when he “just kind of grew out of it”.

He developed his first vitiligo patches when he was 3.

I love and admire him for knowing himself so well at this age. He has confidence in his body and what it can do.

He’s never been afraid to challenge things, or stand up for himself. Nor been afraid of being afraid.

I love them so.x