These twins may need no introduction. For if you've seen the homely meals of Carter, and the hand-crafted wares of Harry, you have likely found inspiration in their creative and home lives. Usually separated by sea, Carter in the Northern Rivers of New South Wales, and Harry in Auckland, New Zealand, we were lucky to have the twins come together to document the growth and arrival of their new babies, and get to know them a little better.
My full name is…
C: Carter Adrienne Frances Were.
H: Harriet Deirdre Clare Were.
But my friends call me…
C: C.
H: Harry.
I grew up…
C: In Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland until I was 13 then my family moved to the top of the South Island out of a small rural town called Blenheim.
H: In Tāmaki Makaurau, Aotearoa New Zealand.
My cultural background is…
C: English and German.
H: Pākehā.
Patience and Dorothy’s names came from…
C: Patience’s name came from a food writer in the 1950’s called Patience Gray. She was also 12 days overdue and we took 5 weeks to name her so we thought it was a fitting name. Dorothy is named after her great grandmother on Jack’s (my partner) side. The first time I met her she was wearing orange and had the same coloured hair. She is a very kind woman, full of life.
When I wake up the first thing I do…
C: Kiss my family and drink a stovetop coffee with Jack, we like to have it with warm milk.
H: Kiss my babies head with butterfly kisses.
I feel at home…
C: In Aotearoa New Zealand.
H: With my twin Carter.
My favourite place in the world is…
C: Greece.
H: Aotearoa.
You will usually find me…
C: At the beach if it’s sunny.
H: In my house or garden.
How I find balance…
C: Prioritising rest over chores.
H: Nurturing friendships and community and walking my dogs.
I find comfort in…
C: Sunshine and the sea.
H: Slippers and a river.
The soundtrack to my life is…
C: At the River by Groove Armada.
H: Daughter, Four Tet. I asked my boyfriend to play it when I was pushing our baby out. A new life!
I am where I am today because of…
C: Deciding to close my shop in Auckland (we outgrew the space) and travel instead.
H: Mistakes, curiosity, friendships, luck and dogs.
Before my pregnancy, I was…
C: Looking after my kids and working on my cookbooks.
H: Busier.
Right now I am…
C: About to pop!
H: Holding my sleeping baby.
In the future I hope to…
C: Be able to travel with my family.
H: Grow old gracefully and share warmth.
What inspires me…
C: Travel, my kids and my twin sister, Harry.
H: Carter, craft, people, the babies in my family.
Carter’s Cookbook is…
C: Our second self published book I have made with Harry. It has simple recipes I like to cook for my family and friends and Harry took the photos.
Harrywere.com is…
H: My tiny online shop where I work with makers - valuing and celebrating craft and friendship.
What surprised me most about being a mother…
C: Giving birth! I’ve done it three times and every time I am mind blown at how my body can grow and push out a baby.
A tradition I hope to pass down…
C: I hope my kids cook food for their family and friends from my cookbook when they’re older.
H: Pancakes on Sunday and appreciation for craft
Being a twin is…
C: The most special bond between two people and I’m so grateful to be one!
H: Magic.
A favourite childhood memory…
H: My dad putting sunblock on my face with big gentle hands.
C: Summer holidays with my siblings and cousins at my Uncle's property near Blenheim. We used to have so much fun camping, playing in the trees and the creeks making our own fun.
I feel safe when…
C: Jack is around (he travels a bit for work).
H: My dogs are close.
The perfect scent is…
C: Hermes Mediterranean.
H: Rosemary.
My favourite body part is…
C: My small ears.
H: Heart and hands.
My favourite colour is…
C: Blue.
H: Red.
I love listening to…
C: The birds in the morning and evening.
H: The birds at home.
I relax when…
C: I’m floating in the ocean.
H: I'm in water or when I'm with Carter.
I am moved by...
C: Birth.
H: Kindess and honesty.
I am hopeful for…
C: My kids to be grateful, empathetic, kind and confident.
H: Change.
I am looking forward to…
C: The rest of my life.
H: Watching my baby grow alongside the trees we've just planted.
Carter photographed by Harry Were and her partner, Jack.
Harry photographed by Carter Were and her partner, Emile Drescher.