Like so many other professionals his age, Pete Reinders dreamt – for years – of moving to a small town, of opting out, of breathing out. It took some years (mostly waiting patiently for his kids to fly the coop) but in 2004 the dream finally became a reality and he moved to Prince Albert in the Karoo. Life in the fast-paced city is now firmly in his rear-view mirror. And he’s not turning around.
Pete is not just any regular plattelander, though. He’s my also my father. These photos are a result of years of watching proudly as he (and my mother) adjusted to a new life in the Karoo.
Moving there was never a retirement plan. It can be argued that he’s busier now than he ever was in his city practice. But it’s a different kind of busy. There is a happiness that oozes from him as he goes about his work and life. When I asked him to answer a few questions about these photos, he chatted so long my phone battery eventually died…
Regrets? “Not a single one…”
This photo essay – something that I thought I would never see the light of day – was one of the best things I had published last year and I’m really proud of it.
I’ve decided to keep working on this project….
Samantha Reinders 