CASIE ZALUD

ABOUT THE PROJECT

Relinquish — A Photographic Conversation between Mother and Daughter

Life is fast-paced and it’s easy to lose focus and take it all in. Distractions lay at every turn. My daughter reminds me to be playful, slow down, and be present.

With Relinquish, I have given my six-year-old daughter, Linnéa, the lead and created a series of diptychs based off her photographs, which has helped me to see the world from a simpler, more carefree, and fearless point of view.

As a photographer, I came to a crossroads in my work. I needed to shake things up. I needed to look at the world differently. My work felt too literal, maybe even stale. I was longing for some inspiration. Little did I know the inspiration I needed was right in front of me all along.

Linnéa’s photos are interactions with the world around her, created from a place of emotion, curiosity, and pride.

By consciously following her example, I have worked to rediscover my own interpretations of these elements in my work. She has her own ideas on what is beautiful and meaningful. Her self-esteem is boundless. She is like a clean slate, pristine, yet to be influenced by the outside world. Kids can teach us a lot, if we just slow down enough to let them.

Linnéa teaches me resilience and patience—and how to handle frustration—and brings me a level of joy and love greater than anything I’ve experienced before.

She reminds me to be playful, slow down and be present. I am learning that when I let her take the lead in life, both of our worlds grow for the better.

When kids are given the tools to be independent, they flourish.

— Casie Zalud