Nicholas Nixon’s venture into photojournalism emerged from a simple desire to combat the monotony of family gatherings. In an interview, Nixon shared how the routine of visiting his in-laws’ house on weekends had grown tiresome, with obligatory conversations and shared meals. Seeking something new and exciting, he proposed the idea of photography as a means to break the monotony. Little did he know that this suggestion would ignite a journey that would transcend the realm of mere family snapshots.
1980
As they embarked on their photographic endeavor, the ages of the sisters—Heather, Mimi, Bebe, and Laurie—perfectly aligned to document the profound changes that aging would bring. With Heather at 23, Mimi at 15, Bebe at 25, and Laurie at 21, they stood at the precipice of adulthood, poised to embark on their own unique paths. Nixon’s keen eye would capture the essence of their evolving journeys, as the years unfolded and the transformative power of time left its mark.
It is through this serendipitous alignment of ages that the true significance of “The Brown Sisters” project comes to light. What began as a quest to inject excitement into a seemingly mundane routine ultimately became a poignant exploration of aging and the passage of time. The ages of the sisters at the project’s inception set the stage for a profound visual narrative, offering a glimpse into the changes that life would bring and the enduring connection that would bind them together. Curious about 1981? Then be eager to see the next page.
