Grandparents In the Lens

A rural photographer has changed the focus of her business after witnessing the loss of older generations across the world, following the spread of the coronavirus.

Mathoura photographer Zowie Crump recently made headlines for her innovation during COVID-19. After her photography work crumpled due to social distancing restrictions, the photographer launched her ‘Front Door Project’, photographing more than 675 families on their front doorstep (with Zowie standing at the garden gate or further away) over a period of nine weeks. 

Now, the photographer has launched a new project, focusing on a special resource the recent global pandemic has proven all the more precious – grandparents.

Her project, ‘The Generational Gift’ aims to capture beloved regional and rural grandparents in their homes, as a keepsake to be treasured by families forever. The coronavirus, claiming thousands of elderly people around the world, has shown Zowie that nothing can be taken for granted – and photographs are a way to preserve precious memories. 

“I grew up on a farm with my Mum and my grandparents. My grandparents played a very big part in my life and are no longer here. Every photo I have of them is very precious. I wish I had photos of my Nan in her kitchen in front of the combustion stove, or Pop in his shed or on his motorbike down the paddock or sitting at the table having a cup of tea,” Zowie says.

“Often when people pass away, the first thing the family looks for are photos. But often they don’t have any photos of their family members in their own home doing their normal everyday things; just as you remember them. 

 “I want to offer a service of documenting your Nan, Pop, Mum or Dad - anyone special in your life in their own environment, so that future generations have something to remember them by.”

 Zowie says the project would centre around spending an afternoon with each set or individual grandparents, documenting them at their table talking, in the garden or in their own kitchen; putting together a beautiful keepsake to be treasured by the family for years to come. 

Based in Mathoura-Southern NSW, the photographer travels across Southern NSW and across Victoria to capture her subjects. 

“It’s no secret that I love the older generation. I’m the Vice President of the local CWA, have entered many country shows with my sponge cakes - I won the best sponge cake exhibit at the Royal Melbourne Show in 2019 - and I do love a good cup of tea. Crocheting is also one of my favourite pastimes,” Zowie says.