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Reminder Assistant Editor LONGMEADOW Inside 103- year-old Dorothy Newberry's bedroom, her aged hands glided over her Bible. She sat on her floral bedspread, her delicate face, creased with lines from life, tilted away from the camera. On the walls behind her were portraits of her ancestors. In her home, in her environment, photographer Denise Smith captured a piece of her life. Smith, a professional photographer for the last 28 years, has always looked at the art of photography as a storytelling tool. She is using centenarians as the center-piece of a photographic commemorative essay book she's putting together. She is currently seeking those who are 100 years of age and up and living in the New England region. "It's a privilege for me to tell their story in some way," Smith said. Inside her Longmeadow photography studio, Smith sat surrounded by her works. In the corner of the studio there were various colored backdrops and lights. Behind the sofa where she sat were pictures of a family she photographed in Forest Park. They were not posed, but naturally interacting, walking, holding hands, and laughing. Smith explained that many of her passions and personal inspirations led her to this project. Her photography business mainly focuses on families and children. "I found that the older generation doesn't get included in family portraits as often as I would like them to be," Smith said. "It became important to me. Just because you're older doesn't mean you should be forgotten. And then it came to me one day that I should photograph people who are 100 years old and older. Anyone who reaches 100 deserves to have their story told. It's a real milestone in someone's life." To capture the essence of her subjects, Smith travels to their homes to photograph them. Her assistant Polly Paquette helps her on the shoots. The centenarians are also interviewed during the photo shoots. Paquette will ask them about the jobs they once held, family traditions, words of wisdom they may have to offer maybe capture them sitting in their favorite chair. She said that, through her camera and their words, she is honored to tell their story of 100 years. She is also sending out a call for any centenarians and their families who are interested in being included in this endeavor, to contact her. What is she looking for? Any centenarian that is living within New England who is still "vital and active." She captured Stillman Munger last Thursday at his Ludlow home. Born in 1902, Munger is a veteran of World War I. Smith was bursting with excitement talking about it. "I like to dedicate some of my time to creating a book dedicated to that generation," she said. "If you didn't have photos taken today, you wouldn't have them to look at tomorrow." To learn more about Denise Smith's photographic commemorative essay book, or to contact her about photographing a centenarian located in New England, call 567-3339. | ||||||
