Dad's Camera Captures Raw Family Life Over Decades

Photographer Nick Haymes's intimate collection, "Chronograph," powerfully documents his sons' lives from infancy to adulthood. Triggered by the profound impact of the 9/11 attacks, Haymes embarked on a decades-long project to capture the evolving dynamics of his family. The book offers an unfiltered view of their journey, from the mundane realities of verrucas and messy kitchens to significant milestones like birthday parties and rites of passage.

Living in a compact Manhattan apartment, Haymes embraced the intensity of family life, documenting every mood swing and significant moment. His lens captured his sons, Philipp and Lawrence, through their adolescence and into manhood, including sensitive moments like nudity and teenage rebellion. Haymes also delves into the lives of his wife Lina's parents, Nadia and Mikhail, portraying their struggles and eventual decline.

The project, spanning from the early 2000s to the present, became a personal reflection for Haymes, particularly as he navigated being a house husband while pursuing photography. He found the time to organize his family negatives during the Covid-19 pandemic, aiming for impartiality to avoid sentimentality. The book concludes with the passing of his in-laws, bringing the narrative full circle from its initial reflection on death and life's brevity.