We are Family Exhibit

During the 2004 election campaign, I was really bothered that gay marriage was so controversial. In response I decided to do a series of portraits of gay families to show that the love of these parents for their children was no different than straight parents.

My hypothesis was simple. If those against marriage equality could see the love of the families in my photos, perhaps they could see the gay parents as people instead of gay or straight. And if they could see them as people, perhaps they could understand just a little bit more, the desire to marry and be seen equally under the law.

A fairly new client mentioned that some photographers don't like to photograph gay and lesbian families which I found shocking given that I have and do so many every year. She suggested I repost these, which I had taken down because they felt like old work to me.

Old work or new work. We welcome all families in our studio.

I should also add that the show was a big success. The LGBT Center in Seattle was packed with lines out the door. The show traveled to Chicago and one other city.

The best part was the feedback from the kids. Parents kept coming up to me saying thank you, that their child hadn't seen so many photos of families like their own and it was great for them. They would walk around the room looking at the families many many times. It opened discussions about their own family. It gives me chills to think about all these lovely children seeing families like their own hanging on a wall in an exhibit. Thank you to all the families who participated in this show.