Family Photos with little ones...... The Thayers

Our friends, Brad and Betsy, have been a part of our family for many years. I am happy to have taken many photos of them. I was thrilled when they asked me to take their family photos for their Christmas card. 

Let me star by saying I have been taking pictures for a lot of years. But of all the pictures I have taken (from weddings to big, huge groups of people in one family), it's the little toddler/preschool aged humans that scare me the most. 

They just don't really want to sit still and have their picture taken. They just want to get down and run around. And it is a real struggle for me, at times, to get anything that resembles a good family photo. Now, times that by two (or twins) and add the element of rain (or should I say "sprinkle"), and the fact that it takes a lot of work to get a family ready and out the door, and the fact that we didn't have any other dates available to take these photos and I want to do my best for them AND ...... 

well, you can see why I was a bit nervous about this shoot.

But as you can see, Everything turned out fine. Because the kids were so good at the beginning of the shoot, it took not time at all to take some terrific pictures of the family. I love the fact that they used props (cell phones) for their pictures too. I encourage families to do that so the kids are occupied with something else and will feel more comfortable about having their pictures taken by me. 

It is always an adventure when photographing families with young kids. Sometimes, what I have planned for them is nothing like the wonderful pictures I get when the kids are in charge of what really happens that day.

Thank you Brad, Betsy, Riley, Zac and Allie for another great family shoot.

One BIG happy family

I am blessed to have reconnected with some "gold" (no old) pals from my childhood days. My dear friend, Karen (who I have known since we were both in 3rd grade together) and her husband, Rick, have become such a treasured friendship to my family. I was thrilled when she asked me to photograph her entire blended family. I have met a couple of people in the past but I got the chance to meet the whole group- grand kids and all. What a lovely afternoon it was too. We met at a beautiful spot near her home. The lighting was wonderful. The family was so terrific to work with.

I always get a little nervous working with small children who don't like to be photographed. Sometime they are just too shy to take direction from a stranger. But all the little kids were so much fun to work with.... Such terrific personalities. The older kids really got into the spirit too and did just about anything I asked of them. I love their playfulness with each other.

And the extra special part of the day was that my hubby came along and helped me out by taking some pictures too. I love working with him and I think he had a good time too.

It was a lot of work to gather all the family members in one spot for an afternoon. Lots of schedules to juggle around, but it will be a wonderful memory for my friends, Karen and Rick. Family photos that will last a lifetime.

 

Dear friend and her family....

I have known Jeannette for over 30 years. She was working at the same place where I met my husband. We lost touch over the years and through Facebook, we were able to reconnect a few years ago. 

She asked me to take a few pictures of her family. She saw some of my samples and thought that it was time to update her family pictures too. Her son just finished his tour in the service and now that he was home for a little bit, she want to get some pictures done. 

  

 

 We were able to meet and head to out on a beautiful summer day. It was wonderful to be able to have so much time and use 3 different places to take pictures. Each place lent for a whole new set of fun. Everyone was so terrific to work with and I enjoyed spending so much time with them.

 

  

 As for most men, I am sure this wasn't the number one favorite thing to do on a summer morning. But we had a fun time and they were wonderful to work with. They were open to just about anything.

All they wanted was to make (mom/wife) Jeannette happy.

 

And as for most of my photo sittings, you as the client, will always get a CD of all the high resolution  images, (adjusted and some with some fun filters). They are yours to do as you wish.  

 

So no matter how old your "babies" are..... Family pictures are an important piece of personal history to keep and treasure.