Do you know how hard it is to get twelve people to stop moving long enough to get a formal family photo? We had our plans (or at least I did) to get a nice family picture so that I could update the one on my living room wall. The most recent one was when we were still on the farm. It is several spouses and grandchildren later by now. We managed to snap one the last time we were all together but it was a last minute, not great shot. I really hate those kinds of pictures.
So, we planned several different scenarios and the family members were cooperating. The weather, not so much. Finally we decided to take one in the lobby of a motel in Spearfish where Bruce and I had rented a room for Christmas eve. Nice decor, large enough, perfect. We decided before the Christmas eve church service would be great. However, the weather got kind of nasty, everyone got busy and it didn't get done. I did have my camera and tripod in the car during the Christmas eve service at our daughter and son-in-laws church though so after the service we decided to just get it done.
The church had a beautiful backdrop complete with sleigh, snow decorated trees and even an old farmhouse front. A more perfect setting was not going to be available. And we got twelve people all lined up, a friend actually took the photo and amazingly we got it done. Thanks to Countryside Community Church for their fantastic setting and to my wonderful family for their cooperation.
Now there's only one problem. The photo is already out of date. Little more than six days later another addition to the family was born and little Audrina Colleen made her entrance into the world. Since we probably won't all be together in the same place for possibly two more years I guess we just have to make do with this one. But I already have a new goal.
Family photos are important and not just to photographers. They mark milestones in the history of your family, they are visible chronology for future generations. No one should let much time go by without getting the family together to make that special memory. Even if someone is missing that is no excuse to not get as many as possible together. Do it now.
So, we planned several different scenarios and the family members were cooperating. The weather, not so much. Finally we decided to take one in the lobby of a motel in Spearfish where Bruce and I had rented a room for Christmas eve. Nice decor, large enough, perfect. We decided before the Christmas eve church service would be great. However, the weather got kind of nasty, everyone got busy and it didn't get done. I did have my camera and tripod in the car during the Christmas eve service at our daughter and son-in-laws church though so after the service we decided to just get it done.
The church had a beautiful backdrop complete with sleigh, snow decorated trees and even an old farmhouse front. A more perfect setting was not going to be available. And we got twelve people all lined up, a friend actually took the photo and amazingly we got it done. Thanks to Countryside Community Church for their fantastic setting and to my wonderful family for their cooperation.
Now there's only one problem. The photo is already out of date. Little more than six days later another addition to the family was born and little Audrina Colleen made her entrance into the world. Since we probably won't all be together in the same place for possibly two more years I guess we just have to make do with this one. But I already have a new goal.
Family photos are important and not just to photographers. They mark milestones in the history of your family, they are visible chronology for future generations. No one should let much time go by without getting the family together to make that special memory. Even if someone is missing that is no excuse to not get as many as possible together. Do it now.
