Capturing Domesticity: Therese Brown's Homey Instant Photography
8Therese Brown believes that creativity is not reserved for the young. Her passion for photography wasn’t ignited until after the birth of her first child. She picked up a camera at 29 years old, and took classes in her late 30s. Now 66, Therese continues to explore her creativity by documenting her usual days at home and experimenting with self-portraiture.
“Perhaps what impact I hope my work has on others would be the idea that there is beauty in the simple everyday life, that we are all more alike than different, and that even old folks like me can live the creative life,” she said.
With her desire to be present in the physical world, Therese enjoys the slow process of film photography. Instant film, in particular, brings the “depth” and “physicality” that she’s drawn to.
“It’s like holding a very special object that has captured a moment, that I can return to any time I like,” she described.
Home as a canvas
Therese’s work is a testament to the fact that great photography doesn’t need a grand subject matter. You don’t need to wait for an out-of-town trip or an upcoming fancy party before you pick up a camera. Since she discovered her love for the craft, she has always placed what she has known at the center of her work: domesticity.
"Sometimes I go out with a specific idea in mind, especially when I’ve got a concept I’m working with. Maybe there’s a fresh bloom in the garden I want to capture. A lot of times it could be something as basic as how the light is coming through the window," she shared.
Beyond the warm and cozy feeling that her usual subjects radiate, she also advocates to put emphasis on the “social impact of how a home manifests and the importance of unpaid labor, especially performed by women.”
Amid the fast-paced nature of our world, Therese’s photography stays grounded in the quiet beauty of domesticity — home-cooked meals, sunlit windowsills, blooming flowers, and what it means to find beauty in the mundane.
"I live a pretty mundane life, but filled with creativity and creative pursuits,” she said. “I get up, have my tea, pull some tarot cards and do my daily journal. Some days, in the growing season, I'm outside in the garden a lot. During the winter I may be working with negative film more, shooting, processing and scanning. One day soon I'll have my darkroom set up again and get back to gelatin silver printing. In the summer time I may spend days making cyanotypes. Day to day has only general guidelines as far as routine. The weather and light dictate a lot of what I do. I try to spend time looking at other work, maybe checking on calls for entry. I play Scrabble with friends once a week, haha!"
While she has explored various types of cameras — from film to digital — the majority of her work is taken on instant. For over a decade, she has gathered almost 3000 of her instant photos and compiled them into one album. Among her list of go-to gear for this collection are her Lomo'Instant cameras.
"[Lomo'Instant cameras] offer a bit more control than lower priced cameras, but aren’t as pricey as others! It has taken me a little time to get used to either of the cameras (my mini version is so old it looks absolutely tattered!) but they’ve been great," she said.
Turning the lens inward
Therese's work also contains a significant collection of self-portraits. For her, the camera is an avenue to capture more than just her physical self but also her deeper identity, heritage, and emotions. Her images extend beyond being a mere memory of what she looked like on a certain day. Instead, she uses them as a tool for introspection.
"[Shooting self-portraits] started as a way for me to look at myself honestly and appreciate who I am as a person. But I’ve also used the self-portraits to address issues of ancestry and my deeper emotional make up," she said.
Although she took portraits of her children back in the day, Therese admits that she never really dipped her toes into portraiture that involved photographing people other than herself. Her introverted nature and reluctance to step into someone else's personal space kept her from exploring that side of photography. By turning the lens to herself, she found fulfilment in channeling her creativity by taking experimental self-portraits.
"I love the magical and mystical, and work to bring some of that into my photographs as well. I like to go to those spaces that are a bit beyond waking consciousness," she said.
To young creatives
For young creatives looking to find their footing in photography, Therese advises to simply shoot often and discover your style. Rather than getting caught up in the technicality of the craft, she encourages beginners to embrace the process of finding whatever works for them. The knowledge you lack is not a hindrance to unlocking your creativity and Therese's experience is proof of this.
"I’ve never been a terribly technical or organized person, but I’ve found ways to work effectively without being bogged down by the things that aren’t as easy for my brain," she shared.
One of the things that Therese values most in her journey is the group of creatives that has constantly given her the drive to embrace her work and become more experimental. She emphasizes the importance of immersing oneself in the works of the community and the community itself.
"Find other artists and photographers who inspire you and spend time with their work. Find other photographers/photographic groups and spend time with them. There’s a lot of generosity in the photographic community I’ve found and people are really willing to share knowledge and ideas," she said.
If you're interested in following Therese's work, check out her website, blog, and Linktree for more information.
written by francinegaebriele on 2025-04-21 #gear #people #garden #instant #home #self-portrait #domestic
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