Small Smiles

by Ella-Simone Griffith

“Small Smiles was photographed on a road trip to move me into college. I went two hours out of the way to go to a small nature reserve in Wyoming. When we got there, there was a small family with three kids playing on the beach of a small pond. This scene really stuck with me while I was walking around, as it reminded me of the joys of childhood. It reminded me so much of a younger me playing with my friends, and it made me think about how I was going to college and growing up. This photograph captures a fleeting moment of innocence and joy, something I often find myself searching for but rarely notice in the everyday rush of life. By pausing to observe this quiet scene, I was reminded of the simplicity and wonder that come with being present, even in unexpected places.”