My first exposure to Honey Lazar’s work was a photograph of her knees that she submitted to Self-Searching: The Art of Self-Portraiture at the Vermont Photo Place Gallery. While a wonderful photograph, it was ony the tip of the iceberg of a whole host of projects on her site. Honey lives in Cleveland, Ohio and has been making photographs for almost two decades. She has had a lifetime of exposure to art and photography through her artist/photographer father, growing up with a darkroom under the same roof. Her work and resume reflect a photographer who continues to stay engaged, curious, and excited about the world around her. And much of that work shows a sensitivity to humanity. Many of her projects celebrate her thoughtful observations and the dignity she brings to her subjects: “there is no simple way to explain a life”, “I am aware of the passage of time reflected in seasonal beauty and appreciate each of the photographed for what they bring to my life.”

I’m featuring two series, both in progress, Loving Aunt Ruth, and another, Keeping Track. In a sense, they are about the same thing, but the approach is very different. Both projects seek to examine, document, and remember, and for a photographer, that seems to be our universal journey.

Loving Ruth: In some ways, Loving Aunt Ruth, is the culmination of everything for which I have cared. Family, story, respect, hardship, triumph, humor, and photography.

Images from Loving Aunt Ruth

My father died when I was three. He was 46 and a professional photographer who relentlessly and skillfully documented our life. Studying his photographs allowed me to invent my past.

My Aunt Ruth is the only one left of my family’s elders, and I want to make sure I do for her what my father did for me.

I love my beautiful, brave, and brazen Aunt Ruth.

Keeping Track is a series of objects about remembering. We catalogue, file, and archive items of importance ranging from occasion books to cookie cutters and boutonnieres. The things we save may hold secrets or simply a trove of treasured recipes. Looking at mementoes of our history tells a part of our story.

Images from Keeping Track