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Talk about dedication to a project. Dutch filmmaker and artist Frans Hofmeester began filming his daughter Lotte every day beginning with the day she was born all way to her 18th birthday.
That’s almost 6,600 images.
As for why Hofmeester decided to undertake such a project (he also does the same with his son Vince), he shared with The Guardian…
When Lotte was born, she was changing at such a rapid pace, and I was desperate to keep the memories intact. As any parent knows, the difference between a child at two days old and two months old is startling. When Vince was born, I started filming him too. Other people might make a photo book, but I decided to film. This is the most photographed and filmed generation ever, but what are we actually doing with these pictures? They just sit in a file on the computer. I wanted to try and convey the essence of my children, of how they look to me. We don’t often look at the photographs we take, not in the same way that an artist would look at his paintings.
Hofmeester also discussed the overwhelming response he has received and why he believes people are so taken with the project…
I think the reception has been so strong because the film speaks to people. It carries a message about living your life, and enjoying every moment of having your children with you. Being the best parent you can be. Don’t forget how they once were, how they once looked. I was so afraid that I’d forget how they look. Now I never will. And I’ll keep filming, of course.
Which he did, because those quotes were from 2012 when he released his first timelapse video of Lotte.
Here’s one of his son Vince…
And here’s a video called “The Story of Lotte and Vince.”
Man, I suddenly feel like such a failure as a dad.