Mother’s Tender Portraits of Her Daughter Capture the Joys of Childhood

Minnesota-based photographer Caroline Jensen captures the sweet beauty of childhood and life on the prairie in her emotive, black-and-white portraits of her young daughter. Annika, now 10, has been the star of many of her mother's photos since she was 4 years old–for her, photography “is as much a part of life as brushing her teeth,” Jensen told Feature Shoot.

Through the tender eyes of a parent, Jensen immortalizes fleeting, everyday moments in their rural home. Unlike her three sons, her daughter is completely at ease in front of the camera. Annika dances, plays, and ponders before her mother's lens, the very picture of joy and youth. Dramatic, natural lighting coupled with a lack of color creates a painterly, timeless aesthetic that is partly influenced by the artwork of the old Dutch Masters.

As a mother, documenting the candid, authentic experiences of her daughter has been beyond worth to Jensen. The process has not only brought them closer, but also created a precious library of snapshots that Annika can return to when she's older. Jensen says, “My daughter understands that we are making memories so that we have images to cherish in the future.”

Caroline Jensen's website
Caroline Jensen's blog
via [Feature Shoot]

Become a
My Modern Met Member
As a member, you'll join us in our effort to support the arts.
Become a Member
Explore member benefits

Sponsored Content