In my shoes

"In my shoes" is a documentary photography project about my 17-year-old daughter Lola and me. It's a story of change, growing up, and the connection between generations.

I'm capturing our last year together before Lola leaves for university. These photographs are about her growing up and me growing older. They're about daughters distancing themselves from their mothers, and the midlife crisis mothers face when their children grow up.

This project explores the challenges of single motherhood and how I raised a wonderful daughter on my own. It shows how Lola spends time with her friends and how important they are in her life.

The title "In my shoes" comes from Lola wearing my shoes, clothes, and jewelry. She also wears my mother's ruby ring - my mother who was also named Lola. She died when I was 10. I never had adult conversations with my mom, which makes talking with my own growing daughter so precious.

This project is about the similarities between my mother, myself, and Lola. It's about hope - hope that the limitations immigration brought to my life will make my daughter's life better than mine or my mother's. It's also a story about immigration and how cultural boundaries blur, especially in terms of gender relations. In New Zealand, there's no discrimination against single-parent families.

I know I'll look at these photos when Lola leaves, immersing myself in memories of our life together. This project is for my daughter and for me. It's a way to remember, feel, and understand this important stage of our lives.