Summer seems like a lifetime ago, doesn’t it? Even Texas fall. I met Katie for a documentary family photography session on a late September afternoon – the kind of day that you optimistically slip on jeans in the air conditioned comfort of your house, and kind of regret it by 10am. But you stick with it, because you’re a Texan and, well, it’s FALL, darnit!

Over Christmas, I had the distinct pleasure of sitting down with my whole family to sort through one of several giant boxes full of disorganized family photos from the 80s and 90s. It was an evening of laughing till we cried, making fun of my mom’s hairstyles over the years, and remembering the stories and details of years past that had all but slipped away. Follow along for the most valuable lessons I learned from this experience.

I'll let you in on a secret. There is ONE major factor that every single one of my clients shares -- one thing that draws them in to documentary family photography and makes them realize they MUST have this for themselves.

Ready?

We moved to the States in 1983, when I was just four years old. My only memories of living in Poland are second-hand, told by my parents and my grandmothers -- the matriarchs of the family. Growing up, our family traditions were the blood that ran through our veins. Easter was not easter without dyeing eggs pink with boiled beets, or a rich, caramel-brown with the skins of yellow onions. And Christmas would never be Christmas without

Let’s face it: your wife does not want a wine cover/ sock puppet, another bottle of perfume, or a new pair of slippers.

What she really wants is a “magical way to chill out and appreciate the little things” gift certificate. Maybe a “get out of a stressful situation for free” gift certificate. Or perhaps a “slow down and savor your children better” gift card.

But last I saw, these were not available at the checkout at Target (or anywhere else). Damn.

It's an honor for one of my favorite personal projects to be featured over at one of my favorite Documentary Family Photography collectives. Click below to read my interview with Sham of the Perfect, in which I discuss breakfast beer, my hot husband, and creating a family history for my children.