2012 WAS A GOOD YEAR.

This is a bit late, but 2012 was a good year.  I stumbled into the world of international adoptions, and was floored by the unconditional love I saw from local foster families and forever families from all over.  I got the chance to travel a bit and document some inspired and inspiring love stories.  2013 is shaping up to be even more amazing, with plans already set for San Francisco, Charleston, New York City, Phuket and Bali.  I hope to spend more time developing personal projects this year, while continuing to master the difficult art of balancing work with family life.  Justin is turning 5 next month, and Joel will be starting pre-school in a few weeks.  Jenny is continuing her education with online classes, and I'm incredibly proud of her.  I want to be more present this year.  I'm incredibly blessed to be here.

CIAN'S ADOPTION STORY. KOREA ADOPTION PHOTOGRAPHER.

It was hard not to immediately fall in love with this family.  They've been on a long journey to adopt their son, Cian, from Korea, and I wanted to try something a little different, something that has been nagging at me for a while now.  I worked for a time as an editor and associate producer at a public television station in New York to pay my way through college what seems a lifetime ago.  I was a filmmaker before I ever ventured into photography, and in many ways that has informed my storytelling as a photographer.  I'm constantly thinking of narrative structure as I shoot and edit, not just pretty photos or moments.  While I don't miss the countless hours patchworking video footage together to create a cohesive story, I do think that the combination of audio and visual elements can come together to create something extraordinary, something more than just the sum of its parts.

GOTCHA DAY. KOREA ADOPTION PHOTOGRAPHY.

I've had the unique opportunity to stumble into the world of international adoptions this past year.  As a father of two, it's difficult not to get caught up the in the moment a foster family -- some of whom have raised a child for nearly two years -- has to say goodbye.

The younger of my two sons is turning 2 this month, and many of the adoptive children I see are his age.  The old adage, 'If you love someone, let them go' is suddenly thrown into sharp relief in the face of such sacrifice.  It is truly humbling to bear witness to such unconditional love, from both foster and forever families.

I've compiled a collection of moments from over the summer below.

JACK'S ADOPTION STORY // KOREA FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHER

Becky and Brian finally welcomed Jack Hwan into their family last week. The whole adoption process took them about two-and-a-half years.  Needless to say, it was pretty amazing watching a beautiful couple with so much love to give become a family of three.

Becky had shown my work to some of her coworkers, but never got in touch with me because she didn't think she could afford to have a photographer present.  Her co-workers secretly pitched in and arranged to have me document their adoption story; they surprised her at work a few days before she and Brian were scheduled to leave America for Korea.  I'm so grateful that I was able to be there and help tell the beginning of a new chapter in their lives.

JACK'S ADOPTION // A TEASER

I'm waiting on the B&W scans from my film lab, but wanted to post a teaser in the meantime.  The full post to come later this week.