Building a Family

Building a Family is a five-volume documentary photography series by Mary Motley Kalergis exploring the experiences, relationships, and milestones that shape family life. Through photographs and the voices of the people she encountered, the series examines marriage, childbirth, adoption, motherhood, and adolescence.

The complete series is available as a handcrafted boxed set, or each of the five volumes can be purchased individually. Explore the collection below.

The Complete Collection

Building a Family: Five-Volume Boxed Set

Building a Family brings together five photography books by Mary Motley Kalergis: With This Ring, Giving Birth, Considering Adoption, Mother: A Collective Portrait, and Seen and Heard: Teenagers Talk About Their Lives.

Together, the volumes explore family life through photographs and the voices of the people Mary encountered. The complete five-volume collection is presented in a custom, handcrafted box set.

Volume I

With This Ring: A Portrait of Marriage

A candid portrait of marriage through interviews and documentary photographs exploring love, endurance, humor, and partnership.

Volume II

Giving Birth

A deeply honest look at childbirth—its power, vulnerability, and transformation—told in pictures and the mothers’ own words.

Volume III

Considering Adoption

Birth parents, adoptive parents, and adoptees share honest stories of love, courage, grief, and the complex emotional truths behind adoption.

Volume IV

Mother: A Collective Portrait

A multigenerational tribute to motherhood, reflecting diverse ages, backgrounds, traditions, and experiences using photographs and interviews.

Volume V

Seen and Heard: Teenagers Talk About Their Lives

Teens speak openly about identity, belonging, fears, friendships, challenges, and the realities of growing up.

Explore More:
Atelerix Press
Seeking The Light Movie

Contact
mary@marymotleykalergis.com

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