Family Portrait

Family Portrait is based on a memory from when I was 7 years old. 

It was days before Christmas and I was sitting in front of the Christmas tree guessing what was inside the wrapped presents with my name on them. Somehow, I found out that my grandma kept a list to keep track of the gifts she was  giving. I had a mission: find the list. 

“Isabel – San Diego snow globe” is what I read on the piece of paper I found on her nightstand and I thought “Aw, man… That’s all I’m getting?”.

Now, 16 years later, the snow globe sits on my nightstand, always reminding me of my  thoughtful grandmother and how she wanted me to have something reminding me of my  other home. A useless souvenir increased in  value because of the person who gave it to me.

Therefore, I designed a souvenir with value only for my family and I.

Photographer: Benjamin Hailemariam