For this month's Refinery29 Photo Album, we asked some of our favourite photographers to send in a picture of someone they love.
We all take snapshots of our various loves, from our significant others, to our mums, to our cats. To truly capture that consuming, complicated feeling is hard. Click through to see how these photographers express it in a single image, proving over and over that a picture says a thousand words – or maybe just three.
If you would like to contribute to next month's album, please get in touch by email. You can also submit via Instagram with the hashtag #R29photoalbum; keep an eye on our feed for the next theme @Refinery29UK.
"Lucie in the hours before she gave birth to Lou, taking a picture of my medical outfit to make fun of me. At this point she still didn't know about my photographic project " Fyi ", which is about our baby's sensitive environment during pregnancy. The series came to an end right after the birth, and a short time later I showed her the work."
Fred Lahache
Fred Lahache
"He invited me to drive across Morocco with him. That was the trip that changed my life. By the time we got back, we were inseparable. We'd known each other for two months."
Joanna Cresswell
Joanna Cresswell
"One day in the middle of summer I went to visit my family. My mum reminded my nephew that he had picked out flowers for me and had been keeping them in the freezer. He went in the other room to get them. 'He saw the bouquet at the store and asked if we could get it for you.'
This photo may look somber to the viewer, but to me it is tender and joyous. The colourful flowers amidst the overall greyness makes me think of the power of love."
Lindley Warren
Lindley Warren
"A friend and I translated a Moroccan folk story into images. This symbol represents the words 'in love'."
Lauren Hillebrandt
Lauren Hillebrandt
"She's smart, grumpy and my best friend and she looks great in the shower too."
Jake Kenny
Jake Kenny
"This is my best friend Polly, she is a photographer, and I love her. We spend a lot of time travelling together for work and always try to make the most of trips by taking photos, lots of photos.
Paris in December, a lovely roof top terrace; we procured these blankets from an airing cupboard and had an outdoor, winter room-service picnic.
Incredibly grown up."
Rory DCS
Rory DCS
"Self-portrait with my soon-to-be-born baby, 2015."
Emma Hartvig
Emma Hartvig
"Jake doesn't like having his picture taken. I took this of him sneakily, sleeping in our train cabin from Carcassonne to Marseille this summer."
Matilda Hill-Jenkins
Matilda Hill-Jenkins
"A recent portrait of my little brother sitting in his living room. I went to visit him over the winter holidays, and spent a few days at his apartment. It is his first place. Being the guest of your own baby brother is an odd experience, but he made a great host. I love him and I miss him."
Garrett Lockhart
Garrett Lockhart
"My mother in bed with roses."
Natalie Krick
Natalie Krick
"The first week I moved in with my boyfriend."
Jessica Barthel
Jessica Barthel
"My love is my cat. Probably the only cat that likes water, here she is with me in the shower."
Li Hui
Li Hui
"I love women of all ages taking ownership of their bodies. I love young women redirecting 'gaze' and taking it into their own hands. I love our next generation who will change the world. I love Fern Bain Smith."
Daisy Walker
Daisy Walker
"What remained. My father's pillow. March 25, 2015.
The night of his passing I stood at the edge of their bed after they removed his body. Time almost stands still in that instant. I waited for what was next.
The last three months have felt like a roller coaster. I close my eyes and my stomach drops, day after day. The subtle, simple remainders of one's life become overwhelmingly apparent when one has left. The song on the radio, the joke that would be appreciated, the questions you can't ask – all signifiers of the loss that has materialised. He's missed. God damn he's missed. It's really hard to comprehend at times but I'm finding out that what remains has a strong impact as well. What he was able to leave behind can at times have you buckled over in tears of laughter, have you solving those issues he had prepared you for or have you pursuing daily life in an attempt to make him proud. Eventually as the roller coaster begins to ease up, as it hits the straightaways, it will get easier. But it will continue on remaining with you forever."
Delaney Allen
Delaney Allen
"We met only five months ago. I remember the first time waking up next to her and being in awe. Her skin is so beautiful. All I wanted was to be close to her. I still feel that way today. We mostly live apart from one another, in different cities. But I feel like the luckiest girl alive to have met her and have her in my life."
Stephanie Noritz
Stephanie Noritz
"Kato, 2015. My life partner, creative partner, best friend, and lover."
TJ Tambellini
TJ TambelliniLike what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
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