Twenty seventeen was a big old mess for the world at large. There were days when I couldn’t do much more than shake my head in astonishment and, honestly, immense sadness. When days like that pile on top of each other it can be a recipe for despair. Luckily, I have a job that shines a light on many of the good things in the world. One of the very best things that lights the world for me through a camera lens is families. Twenty seventeen was the year I got to see children join families who wanted them so very much and who had waited and prayed and fought through terrible loss to hold them, ever so finally hold them in their arms. It was the year I got to photograph families committing themselves to each other, to their communities and their gods. The year we laughed so hard and made silly faces and hugged so tightly and walked hand in hand to wherever it was we were going. It was the year we committed to photographs of the right here and the right now, so in years to come when we again shake our heads in astonishment and immense sadness the light of moments past and years gone by will still be shining. The love we captured this year will be a beacon in years to come. Because even when the world is oh so dark, love sparks the light and shows us what really matters.
To my wonderful and amazing families of twenty seventeen thank you for the light you shared. It has warmed my soul and I hope it will warm yours as well for years to come.
