I Photograph My 5-Year-Old Cousin In A Small Romanian Village

In life, there are many ways to grow up – some more pleasant, others rather painful. For a 5-year-old, growing up can be a wonderful adventure, filled with games and sunshine every day; while for a 20-year-old, it can be a journey of fear and denial, of dreams and nightmares, all at the same time.

My name is Felicia and I am a 21-year-old photographer living in Romania. I began taking pictures when I was 13, and ever since, I have found great joy in pursuing a passion that would help me understand human emotions better. A year ago, I started documenting my 6-year-old cousin’s childhood during the weekends and holidays, when we would meet in a small Romanian village, at my Grandparents’ home. I decided to join Felix in his make-believe games, where I would be the observer, the story-teller, and he would interpret various characters, free from any constraints – a dog between dogs, a blonde little girl, or even a firm young man.

By watching the expression of his freedom and unconditional joy, I was able to fall in love again with the place that used to be my own playground as a kid. I realized that becoming mature is not that difficult if we stop and learn it from children. As long as we make room for love in our hearts, by freeing ourselves from inhibition and anxiety, change will actually turn out to be the best option.

“And now here is my secret, a very simple secret: It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.” (Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince)