A young mother watching her daughter growing up before her eyes.

My godfather was a WWII war correspondent. His photographs are in the Library of Congress.

My father was always staging “gag” photographs. I paid homage to him in creating this picture of my dad babysitting.

My parents and my older sister celebrated V-J day by joining crowds of people on the streets of Hamtramck Michigan.

In the early 1950’s returning war veterans were eager for employment. My dad often hired vets to help with projects.

The woman under the waterfall is my God Mother. My family always thought she was exotic - she remained single her whole life and was an artist. To me, she was just Aunt Mary.

This picture of my aunt and uncle was taken shortly after they were married. Their four daughters love this picture.

My grandparents emigrated from Russia in 1915, just before the Bolshevik revolution. My grandfather worked in the Pennsylvania coal mines and ultimately moved to Detroit to join Henry Ford’s $5 a day work program. Ivan learned English. Xenia, my grandmother, only spoke Russian. She stayed home and raised 11 children.

Named after 2 famous Western figures, Annie Oakley and Billy the Kid, this is actually pictures of my uncle and his daughter (the pictures were taken 25 years a part).

Behind the picture of my parents is a copy of their wedding announcement. In my father’s typical humorous fashion, the announcement reads like the formation of a new corporation rather than a romantic marriage.

This is the first image I created for this series. I love the symbolism in this picture.

I come from a family of two, therefore there was no middle child. I have known many “middle childs” and have observed common characteristics that I tried to depict in this image.

My father loved to stage “gag” photographs. I think he would have loved this picture. (My dad is sitting in the chair, babysitting).