Bay area photographer Josh Smith explores the strange and beautiful world inhabited by new parents from a unique and personal perspective. His images pulse with the joy and heartache of parenting and capture the humor and pathos of family life in all its topsy-turvy chaos. The First Years is a personal exploration of family dynamics in a time of transition, with all of its attendant turbulence and emotion. As Smith explains in his artist statement, the many challenges faced by new parents bring forth a myriad of conflicting feelings and issues that led to this body of work. Smith’s photographs are paired with a wonderful short story by Natalie Hegert, The Leap, which explores these themes from the mother’s perspective, giving voice to the silent protagonist in his images.