‘Holding on to the moment’: Mary McCartney shares her most intimate photos – in pictures

From tender family portraits of parents Paul and Linda to poignant images of nature, Mary McCartney talks us through some of her most personal work

Main image: ‘Dad lay down with his grandchild’ … Family Circle, Sussex, 1999. Photograph: Courtesy of Château La Coste/Mary McCartney

  • Glance, Hong Kong, 2006

    Mary McCartney: ‘I am in Hong Kong with my husband, just for one day. This ferry ride is one of my favourite moments from that day. We are together, side by side, just simply observing all around us. This couple catch my eye. Their closeness, and ease with each other. And it feels like a film set, but it’s not.’ Moment of Affection is at Château La Coste in Provence, France until 4 September. All photographs: Mary McCartney/Courtesy of Château La Coste
    Glance, Hong Kong, 2006 Mary McCartney: ‘I am in Hong Kong with my husband, just for one day. This ferry ride is one of my favourite moments from that day. We are together, side by side, just simply observing all around us. This couple catch my eye. Their closeness, and ease with each other. And it feels like a film set, but it’s not.’ Moment of Affection is at Chateau La Coste in Provence, France until 4 September 2022 as part of the Rencontres d’Arles photo festival. All photographs: Mary McCartney/Courtesy of Château La Coste

  • Gently Holding Frog, Scotland, 1995

    ‘I remember this moment, but I did not realise I had taken a photograph of it. I was with my mother in Scotland when she saw this frog on the path in front of us. She wanted to protect it from being squashed, so she bent down and with both hands picked it up. Holding him evenly with her fingers, she moved the frog over to the bush nearby. I had not given this a thought again until I came across it after she had passed. Then this moment felt so much more significant as it reminded me very much of her character and kindness and confidence’
    Gently Holding Frog, Scotland, 1995 ‘I remember this moment, but I did not realise I had taken a photograph of it. I was with my mother in Scotland when she saw this frog on the path in front of us. She wanted to protect it from being squashed, so she bent down and with both hands picked it up. Holding him evenly with her fingers, she moved the frog over to the bush nearby. I had not given this a thought again until I came across it after she had passed.Then this moment felt so much more significance as it reminded me very much of her character and kindness and confidence’

  • Mother and Sister, Sussex, 1995

    ‘Back at home in Sussex, visiting the house I had grown up in. My sister and I sitting in bed with Mum one morning. Mum had such natural beauty, her elegant hands, her blonde hair, her soft skin. She cuddles Stella up in her arms and kisses the top of her head with such love. Both holding on to this moment. That will always exist’
    Mother and Sister, Sussex, 1995 ‘Back at home in Sussex, visiting the house I had grown up in. My sister and I sitting in bed with mum one morning. Mum had such natural beauty, her elegant hands, her blonde hair, her soft skin. She cuddles Stella up in her arms and kisses the top of her head with such love. Both holding on to this moment. That will always exist’

  • Mum’s Side of the Bed, Sussex, 1996

    ‘As a family we would often wander into Mum and Dad’s bedroom in the morning to have tea and chat. I would prop myself up against the wooden footrest at the end of the bed. We knew that Mum was unwell, but this was just before any treatment had begun. Mum got up to get dressed and I stayed on my own at the foot of her bed, enjoying the creases and folds that she had formed. Then a beautiful shaft on bright sunlight shone on to her side of the bed, illuminating where she had just been. Like a message of positivity, no matter what lay ahead’
    Mum’s Side of The Bed, Sussex, 1996‘ As a family we would often wander into mum and dads bedroom in the morning to have tea and chat. I would prop myself up against the wooden footrest at the end of the bed. We knew that Mum was unwell, but this was just before any treatment had begun. Mum got up to get dressed and I stayed on my own at the foot of her bed, enjoying the creases and folds that she had formed by being there all night and into the morning. Then a beautiful shaft on bright sunlight shone onto her side of the bed, illuminating where she had just been. Like a message of positivity, no matter what laid ahead’

  • Family Circle, Sussex, 1999

    ‘It’s a summer’s day, back from a horse ride – I can tell by what Dad is wearing. I am visiting with my newborn first baby. Dad comes into the living room of the home I have grown up in. He lays down with his grandchild and they both fall asleep together. Both uninhibited, a feeling of trust and safely compels me to take this photo. In the low light, so as not to disturb’
    Family Circle, Sussex, 1999 ‘It’s a Summers day, back from a horse ride – I can tell by what dad is wearing. I am visiting with my new born first baby. Dad comes into the living room of the home I have grown up in. He lays down with his grandchild and they both fall asleep together. Both uninhibited, a feeling of trust and safely compels me to take this photo. In the low light, so as not to disturb’

  • Hello, London, 2016

    ‘I have taken my time, looking through every contact sheet and photograph in my archive to discover Moment of Affection. I found simple moments, yet incredibly rich in feelings. And here they are’
    Hello, London

  • Casual, London, 1995

    Ever since she began taking photographs, McCartney has ‘collected memories’ with her camera. Capturing gestures and fleeting moments over the years
    Casual, London, 1995 Ever since she began taking photographs, McCartney has ‘collected memories’ with her camera. Capturing gestures and fleeting moments over the years

  • Embrace, London, 2013

    The show traces 30 years of the British photographer’s career, from her debut through to the present day, and showcases more than 20 works from her personal archives. The photographs, mostly shot on film with a Leica, will be organised around two main themes: the quiet and profound emotions that characterise affection, and a rawer expression of love
    Embrace, London, 2013 The show traces 30 years of the British photographer’s career, from her debut through to the present day, and showcases over 20 works from her personal archives. The photographs, mostly shot on film with a Leica, will be organised around two main themes: the quiet and profound emotions that characterise affection, and a rawer expression of love

  • Frisky, Sussex, 2016

    ‘Uncontainable energy. Alejandro, my stallion, and Tinsel the pony’. Exhibition co-curator Georgina Cohen says: “Moment of Affection is a moving and beautiful show that reflects universal emotions and will resonate widely with audiences, especially during such unsettling times. It will be uplifting for the soul.”
    Frisky, Sussex, 2016 ‘Uncontainable energy. Alejandro, my stallion, and Tinsel the pony’

  • Hugging Trees, Surrey

    ‘Sussex, walking along on my own, a path I have taken many times, but this time a glance over and I see two trees, intertwined, a moment of unique affection. Nature, unmistakably perfect. And then I notice also the colours, the textures’
    Hugging Trees, Surrey’ Sussex, walking along on my own, a path I have taken many times, but this time a glance over and I see two trees, intertwined, a moment of unique affection. Nature, unmistakably perfect. And then I notice also the colours, the textures’

  • Play, Russia, 2012

    ‘Witnessing children lost in a moment of play, therefore remembering children’s natural ability for affection’
    Play, Russia, 2012 ‘Witnessing children lost in a moment of play, therefore remembering childhood natural ability for affection’

  • Mother, Russia, 2012

    ‘An assignment for Smile Train, visiting a mother and daughter. They had been through many emotions and hard times together. A little hand resting on the safety of the grown hand of her mother’
    Mother, Russia, 2012 ‘An assignment for Smile Train, visiting a mother and daughter. They had been through many emotions and hard times together. A little hand resting on the safety of the grown hand of her mother’

  • Kick Back, New York, 2004

    ‘New York, the last night of my time spent shadowing the ballet dancers. I fell in love with their closeness as a “family” and their energy. Their expression through their body is their language. And here is one of those moments: play, love, family all comes together in a moment’
    Kick Back, New York, 2004 ‘New York, the last night of my time spent shadowing the Coups De Ballet dancers. I fell in love with their closeness as a “family” and their energy. Their expression through their body is their language. And here is one of those moments: play, love, family all comes together in a moment’

  • Hold, Sussex, 1995

    ‘At home, walking with my siblings. My sisters, holding each other tight. Out in the elements, together. That bond and feeling of protection by being side by side’
    Hold, Sussex, 1995 ‘At home, walking with my siblings. My sisters, holding each other tight. Out in the elements, together. That bond and feeling of protection by being side by side’
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