Immediate Family (book)

Immediate Family is a non-fiction book by Sally Mann, published in 2005. It is a collection of black and white photographs taken by Mann of her three children, Emmett, Jessie, and Virginia, at their family farm in Virginia.

The book garnered significant attention and controversy upon its release due to the nature of some of the photographs, which depicted the children nude and in seemingly vulnerable or suggestive poses. Mann defended her work as artistic exploration of childhood, family, and the passage of time. She argued that the photographs were not intended to be sexually suggestive but rather captured the uninhibited nature of children in a private, rural setting.

The book includes essays by Mann discussing her artistic process, her relationship with her children, and the ethical considerations of photographing one's own family. Immediate Family is considered a significant work in the history of photography, sparking debate about artistic freedom, the representation of children in art, and the boundaries of privacy.

The book is divided into sections based on themes, and the photographs often explore topics such as death, illness, and the everyday experiences of childhood. Immediate Family remains a frequently discussed and analyzed work within the fields of photography, art history, and cultural studies.