This summer I traveled to Istria, Croatia and Venice, Italy with three generations of my family. It’s been many years since I’ve had my passport stamped, and in the intervening years I’ve become both a parent and a photographer. That combination can make for a real internal push-pull when traveling far from home.
Rijeka, Croatia, Pentax 645n Portra 400 @200
The photographer in me would have liked nothing better than to spend hours wandering city streets, getting lost with my camera in all of the novelty that these new sights offered, but the parent in me needed to remain aware of the kids' needs: had we exceeded their sight-seeing quota for the day; did they need to be fed or watered; head count! were all children present and accounted for; and not in the least, am I sharing enough of this special time with them vs. being lost in my own world?
Rijeka, Croatia, Pentax 645n, Portra400 @200
So while we took in some of the most spectacular water views I’ve seen in my life, cities that have long lived in my imagination, and others for which I had little preconception and which were full of delightful surprises, I was usually balancing my desire to make photographs with my role as a parent. You could often find me pulling up the rear of our ten-person pack, taking a hurried photo and then rushing on to catch up with the group.
Pentax 645n, Fuji 160NS
But, there were a few occasions when, due to the grace of my fellow adult travelers or a very early alarm, I was able to carve out a little solo wandering and photographing time, and I did my best to make the most of them. All of these photos are taken during an hour or two spent wandering around the city of Rijeka, Croatia while our clothes went through the wash and dry cycle at a laundromat, with thanks to my sister-in-law for encouraging me to explore while she switched the loads.
One thing about parenthood, you learn really quickly how to make the most of those rare moments when you are on your own.
Pentax 645n, Portra 400 @200
Pentax 645n, Fuji 160NS
Pentax 645n Fuji 160NS
Fish Market, Pentax 645n, Portra 400 @200
Pentax 645n Portra 400 @200
Pentax 645n, Portra 400 @200
Pentax 645n, Portra 400 @200
Deborah Candeub is a Washington D.C. based photographer. You can connect with her on her website.