Untitled (woman with young son and daughter standing in yard at arched opening in picket fence) after 1940

This gelatin silver print of a woman with her two children in a yard was made by Paul Gittings. Gittings was known as a society photographer, catering to wealthy clientele who wanted to project a particular image. While the materials of photography might seem straightforward, consider the processes of selection and staging that are involved. The crisp focus, careful composition, and, of course, the subjects themselves, all speak to the photographer's intention. The white picket fence, the manicured lawn, even the clothing of the subjects, all contribute to a narrative of suburban domesticity. There’s a feeling of both prosperity and aspiration at play here. The image implies a lifestyle that would have been inaccessible to many at the time. Ultimately, the photograph is less about a family and more about the construction of an aspirational identity, carefully crafted and captured through the lens. It challenges us to think about the power dynamics inherent in image-making, and how photography can be used to reinforce social hierarchies.