I photographed my own babies on film until digital cameras came along when my sons were still small. I regret not continuing to be diligent about making prints from these because, two catastrophic hard drive failures later, most of those images are gone. It was, and is still, heartbreaking. And it's why I feel so passionate about creating tangible images for others that can be enjoyed now and will last for generations.

And speaking of generations, as the youngest grandchild in a very large family, I remember scanning all the faces in the photos, eager to find myself among my tribe. But I wasn't in any of the pictures because I hadn't been born yet. I didn’t realize how this subconsciously made me feel like I didn’t really belong, must not be loved, or wasn’t as important as my siblings and cousins. Studies have shown that seeing family photos displayed in the home has a powerful effect on children’s sense of self-worth and security. I think this is especially important in blended family situations or with foster / adopted children to create an image that reflects a loving and unified family where everyone is represented and it shows they belong and are valued.