Origins

As Long As We Both Shall Live grew out of a portrait session with my parents -- married 47 years -- in the summer of 1997.  When my father passed away a few months later, the pictures took on a much greater significance for me.  Soon thereafter, another couple asked if I would make a similar portrait of them, and the idea of making a photo essay on the subject of long-married couples was born.

Since that time, I have begun connecting with couples (all of whom have been married for at least 40 years) in all manner of ways:  people known to me, referrals from friends and colleagues, through community and religious centers, and simply inquiring of couples on the street.  In addition to making the portraits, I have been interviewing the subject couples, discussing their history and their outlook on the institution of marriage.  By focusing on spouses who have been married for more than 40 years, this unique, nationwide undertaking reflects the multitude of reasons that couples from an earlier era chose to make a lifelong commitment to their union, sounds them out about the transition marriage has undergone during their lifetime, and provides a touchstone for its audience to examine its own knowledge and assumptions about marriage, intimacy, family, gender roles, and the evolution of cultural and generational values.

To begin viewing the portraits, click on one of the thumbnails at left.  When you're done, I hope you'll help spread the word by telling your friends, family and colleagues about the As Long As We Both Shall Live project.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

I am constantly in search of funding from foundations, businesses and individuals to enable me to complete this project.  As Long As We Both Shall Live accepts TAX-DEDUCTIBLE contributions via the New York Foundation for the Arts, a not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) organization.

If you would like more information on how to support the project, click here.

Meanwhile, this photo essay remains a labor of love and I will continue to build it as my time and resources allow.

If you would like to offer your comments and receive e-mail notification of future developments in this project (including occasional updates to this web site), please let me know by clicking on the FEEDBACK link on the toolbar above.

--Robert Fass, NYC