Photographing Families: Tips for Capturing Timeless Images

Acknowledgments

“To attain you must aspire.” Those are the words my grandfather wrote in my grade school yearbook. I remember asking him at the age of 12 what that meant. He smiled and told me to look the words up in the dictionary. “If you are going to be a gravedigger you be the best gravedigger there is.” Those were my mother’s words. I skipped the grave-digging job and picked up a camera with a will to aspire. Anything is possible! I know this because I have made a 25-year career from what some thought would turn out to be an expensive hobby.

Paul, you made me a believer when I did not believe. You are my true north, my heart, my soul, and the safest place to fall. You have brought a joy to my spirit that I could not have known without you. Thank you for your incredible and endless support during this process. I know it was not easy but you never let on. There were days I doubted this book was possible. You knew better and never let me get off course. I love you more than you could ever know.

Mom, thank you for believing in my talent and supporting my education and passion for starting my own business. I know there were days you worried that this would be an expensive hobby rather than a career but you always supported me. Your words, “Well, it’s not neurosurgery, but at least she is trying something!” helped to get me where I am today. Your words only pushed me to prove I could achieve my dreams. I know you were horrified to find out that I smuggled expensive crystal and ...