Leaving Grandma’s House – A Documentary Image That Became an Award-Winning Memory

Emotional family photography

Some photographs carry more than just light and shadow—they carry history.

This image of my son, sitting in the car with Grandma and Grandpa’s house reflected in the window, was taken on the day we left my childhood home for the very last time. I saw him look back one last time and quietly raised my camera.

The resulting photo is one I’ll never forget. It’s layered with emotion—nostalgia, grief, love, and the passage of time all in a single frame.

I submitted it to the National Image Competition where it received a Merit score, and then to the Inspiration Awards, a worldwide documentary photography competition. Out of thousands of entries, only 74 images were selected—and two of them were mine. This was one of them. You can view the entire collection at: https://inspirationphotographers.com/awards/family-awards-52-2025/

To have this moment recognized means everything to me. But more than that, it reminds me of why I do this work.

These aren’t just photographs. They’re memories. Echoes of the moments we didn’t know were “lasts” until later.

If emotional family photography resonates with you—if there’s a part of your family story you never want to forget—this is the kind of moment I’d love to help you hold onto.

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