Honoring the past and rolling grape leaves | multigenerational family reunion

In 1903, Hanna Makhoul Fakhoury left Roum, Lebanon and got on a boat to America in search of a better life for his family. Coming through Ellis Island his name became John Mack and he settled in Mooresville, North Carolina. For 25 years, his descendants have held reunions to gather all the cousins and celebrate their family story.

Last year I came to the realization that I wanted to photograph MORE. While people were messaging me about mini sessions every fall, I was, in fact, wanting to do longer sessions, sessions where I put my camera down and hear stories, sessions spanning generations, and sessions where I could preserve nostalgia as best as I can.

A client/friend of mine was listening to me as I processed this out loud and she heard me—she petitioned her extended family to hire me for their bi-annual family reunion.

I’ve been to family reunions before but nothing could have prepared me for the richness of legacy that I saw from the Mack family. From intergenerational grape leaf rolling, to a walk around town visiting old homes and ancestral graves, I was so touched with the way this family weaves in history for the children. One little girl stood on the grave of a family member for which she was named, tiny hands mimicked motions as they rolled grape leaves with their Sitti (grandmother), and my friend retold the John Mack story to the youngest generation. The whole weekend was filled with the most incredible Lebanese food and lots of laughter.

I was honored to capture this incredible and rare celebration. The last evening, when I was headed home, I called a few of my cousins, trying to start the conversation of hosting a celebration for my own family.

I feel called to this work of preserving heritage and legacy.

Do you have a family story you want to tell?

Text me at 828-329-3969 or email me at photographybyhelenjoy@gmail.com to chat about how I can help document the beauty of your own family.