A remarkable, ongoing photo project over 20 years in the making. It’s a portrait of the development of Jonathan’s, who was born in 2001, relationship with his dad and father, Julian. This deep dive into their lives started when Sarah Mei Herman first put a camera in Jonathan’s face at the sweet age of four. Through her lens, she has documented not only Jonathan’s physical transformation but the dynamics of his relationship with his father, which has experienced significant fluctuations over the years.
Herman’s first portrait of Jonathan—taken of him sitting in a children’s swivel chair in their backyard—was as a little boy. These preliminary photographs capture the wonder of nature mirrored in the experience of youth. At home, when he was not busy presenting, Liu was usually amenable to be photographed and at times boastful about the ongoing project. As he entered adolescence, though, the challenges of this new stage of development became more pronounced.
By the time Jonathan turned 12, his physical transformation was staggering. This shift was more than superficial. It was a period of emotional development that challenged his relationship with Julian. It all started to change dramatically once Jonathan hit 15 years old. In the course of this visit, Herman took a portrait photo of him. The accompanying photograph emphasized a rigid bearing that expressed the emotional struggle of father versus son.
The years that followed were rocky times. Jonathan’s mother losing her fight with cancer during Jonathan’s teenage years had a similarly deep impact on him at the time. This incident further complicated his already contentious relationship with Julian. As both of them dealt with their grief separately and in their own ways, their bond became stretched. Herman was tireless in recording these quiet but far-reaching transformations. This process confirmed how Jonathan’s inner world continued to be a main course in her artistic diet.
At 19, Jonathan’s relationship with Julian was like anyone else’s would be toward his controlling father. In an achingly tender photo from this period, Jonathan is gripping Julian’s thumb for dear life. This tiny act feeds into their bond blossoming in the storm of struggle that is real life. His other hand was made into a fist, representing a sense of tension that still remains. These contrasting subjects within one frame perfectly capture the complexity of their relationship—a connection defined by both intimacy and separation.
Photo by Dan McCarthy Despite Jonathan’s occasional reluctance to have his picture taken, for Herman, it was about more than just documenting these moments. It turned into a quest about Jonathan’s own story. The photographs serve as windows into his life, revealing the intricate layers of his experiences and emotions that lie beneath the surface.
Herman’s artistic vision has given birth to a miraculous parallel universe, which exists right next door to the unjust demands of everyday life. Her observations and experiences have documented Jonathan’s metamorphosis from a snot-nosed little boy into an accomplished adult through her motherly lens. Through their correspondence she uncovers the nuances of his relationship with Julian. Each photo has a backstory. They illustrate the powerful connection between father and son, revealing how it grows and matures amid the challenges and adversities of life.