In these “After Hours” posts, members of the group tell the stories behind the pictures they have posted, and explain what motivates and inspires them. This week we have Jess Lewis who chose this image in June for 12pm:

•Which camera did you use?

Canon 7d, Sigma 30mm 1.4 lens

•Do you have any plans for the next 6 months/what do you hope to achieve through the year?

I started this project with the intent of documenting our lives with our dining table as the common thread. So much of our life as a family happens around that table. It’s where we gather to eat, play games, do schoolwork, discuss major life events, celebrate birthdays, etcetera. I’ve wondered a few times at my decision to do this, fearing it can be too repetitive, but it’s making me plan ahead a bit (which is so not me) and get creative. My hope is that at the end of the project I have a visual story that is representative of our year and the life that takes place daily at our table.

•Was this a typical day for you?

Yes and no. We’ve just moved from Georgia to California, so the past several months have involved a lot of packing/unpacking and the days have been anything but typical. Our days have been short on routine and I’m trying to bring that normalcy back into our lives.

•Why did you choose to post this photo?

Since it was the noon post I nearly went with a typical kids eating lunch kind of photo. But, this photo is more representative of us getting back into the rhythms of our day and making this new place our home. It will also be a reminder of that phase where he liked having his hair hanging in his face. I think it’s going to be a long phase.

•Do you usually shoot at this hour or was this new for you?

I usually have a camera with me at all times, so I tend to shoot when the mood strikes, which is often and at all hours of the day. Having to be aware of the hour and knowing I need to take a picture within a specific time frame is definitely new to me.

•And a final image from you.