"I'm documenting our last year together before Lola leaves for university. These photographs reflect her growing up and me growing older. They show how daughters gradually distance themselves from their mothers, and how difficult this is for both parties. It's also a story about the midlife crisis mothers face as their children grow up.

This project allows me to share the challenges I faced raising Lola alone. It shows how important it is for her to spend time with her friends and how these relationships impact her life.

The title "In My Shoes" symbolizes the continuity of generations. Lola wears my shoes, clothes, and jewelry, including my mother's ruby ring, also named Lola. She died when I was 10, and I never had the opportunity to speak to her as an adult. That's why it's so important for me to be able to communicate with my daughter, who is growing up before my eyes.

This project also highlights how similar my mother, Lola, and I are. I hope that the restrictions immigration brought me will make my daughter's life better than my mother's or mine. This story is also about how cultural boundaries blur, especially around gender roles. In New Zealand, there's no discrimination against single-parent families, which creates a more open space for us.

I know I'll be returning to these photos when Lola leaves home, immersing myself in the memories of our life together. This project is not only for her but also for me, to preserve, experience, and reflect on this important stage of our lives.