Meet the Pollacks!
Mike and Erica Pollock have been friends since they were in high school. Like many typical young couples, they wanted to have a family. So when they realized they couldn't have children of their own they were heartbroken. With hearts as big as Texas, they decided to become foster parents, first to a young teenaged girl, and then in the county FostAdopt program. In Erica's words, "we actually went into it only to adopt an infant or toddler, but became more open as we saw the great need. We ended up fostering 5 children (including the 2 we adopted). The first two were one and three year old sisters, and the teenager came later after we adopted Joey. We fostered the teen while parenting Joey and Lex (crazy!)."
You can imagine how happy they were when they finally left the courthouse with their final adoption papers.
Two weeks after his adoption, they had a party for Joey, and the same day they were asked to take an infant girl who was left at a local fire station! It still makes Erica tear up when she thinks of how hard it must have been for a never-to-be known mother to ring the station doorbell and say goodbye to her child. Lexi is a beautiful, happy little girl.
For obvious reasons, we are not able to post the beautiful portraits we did of the children. But we are so glad that the Pollocks will have them to enjoy for many years.
Obviously, without the fost-adopt system, the Pollocks would be living a very different life today. Erica is on the the leadership committee for Dark to Dawn's "Community of Friends" program, which works to surround foster children and foster families with much-needed support.
You can help support Erica's favorite charity, Dark to Dawn, when you have your own portrait made. Check out our blog's "Upcoming Events" section for details.
OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!! ITS AMAZING!!!!!!!! THANK YOU!!!!!!! I love it so much!!!!
-Shannon Davidson
The setting for this picture was more than I could have imagined. Chelsea was in heaven picking lovely flowers for her mother. The same warm glow upon her shoulders has embraced my heart. How fun it must be to paint the colors of spring in this magical setting. Mark, you've captured the beauty and grace of God's love in the innocence of a child. You are lucky indeed to be the messenger of such inspiring work.
-Lynn Darrow
My desire is that others may have the wonderful experience of working with you.
And to be rewarded with a lifelong memory of exceptional portraits that capture the true essence of the people being photographed.
So, go for it!
Nice of you to offer a Facebook profile picture.
I don't do Facebook but I might change my mind and it would be wonderful to have an image for my picture.
So, send it on.
And many thanks.
-Linda Fealy
My portrait makes me feel so good! I love everything about... It makes me smile every time I see it, and it means so much to me, especially with both girls being away at college now.-Maria Tang
We wanted to express our gratitude for the work you did on our family portrait. You went above and beyond framing the portrait in our antique frame and we are so proud. It hangs over our fireplace for everyone to see. It really adds to our home and especially that room. Thank you also for all the shots you did while we had all our family present. They were all planned and posed very well. We will sing your praise as we share our pictures with our family and friends.-Susan Guerin
I want to thank you for the beautiful family portrait! As you know, I unfortunately wasn't able to be with Gary when he picked up the portrait at your Costa Mesa studio, so when I arrived home later that day, and saw the portrait resting on our fireplace mantle, I was very impressed! It's already framed and hanging in a perfect place! It's lovely, and even our kids like it! (You know how kids can be)! Thanks for the smaller photos as well - we appreciate it! It's been a pleasure working with you and putting up with our crazy schedules! -Laura & Gary Rothman
