Every family has a story.

Some stories are preserved in family recipes, heirlooms, and traditions. Others live in photographs that are passed down from one generation to the next.

Family legacy has always been important to me. I am a fifth-generation Texan, and I grew up hearing stories about the generations that came before me. Photography was also important in my family. My grandfather enjoyed photography, and my father always kept a camera nearby. Looking back, I realize that photographs became some of the most treasured connections to the people I loved.

Years ago, my brother and I gathered with our parents for a family portrait. It was a simple portrait session, but today I treasure that photograph because it captures a moment in time that can never be recreated.

In 2000, I got married. Not long afterward, my parents moved to Houston to be closer to my brother and me. Their health was declining, and they eventually moved into an assisted living community.

In 2002, my wife and I adopted two children from Russia. Our family grew, and life became busy, as it often does. We assumed there would always be time for family gatherings, celebrations, and photographs.

There wasn't.

My parents passed away in 2004, within 2 months of each other.

In the years since, one regret has stayed with me. We never took the time to create a professional portrait that included my parents and my children together. There are a few snapshots and memories, but there is no portrait that shows three generations of our family in a single image.  I don't want my friends to be in the same situation as I am.

That missed opportunity is the reason The Grandparent Project exists.

I created this project to help families preserve something that becomes more valuable with every passing year: a visual record of their family heritage. Whether it is grandparents with their children and grandchildren, or even four generations together, these portraits become part of a family's history.

For many families, the best opportunity comes during family gatherings, holidays, birthdays, or special events at a senior living community when children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren are already together.

My goal is simple. I want to help families create portraits today that their children and grandchildren will treasure decades from now.

Portraits can be created in your home, at a senior living community, at an outdoor location, or in a setting that is meaningful to your family. I work with families to make the process easy and comfortable, especially for older family members with mobility concerns.

Even if you choose another photographer, I encourage you to make the time for a multi-generational family portrait. One day, that photograph may become one of your family's most treasured possessions.

As part of The Grandparent Project, I am creating a commemorative album that celebrates the families who participate.

Each family will have a dedicated spread featuring a favorite portrait and a brief story about their family. Participation in the album is completely optional, and there is no obligation to purchase a copy.

My hope is that the album becomes a lasting collection of family stories, relationships, and legacies. It will serve as a reminder of the many lives and families I have had the privilege to photograph.