IS THERE A PHOTOGRAPHER IN THE FAMILY?

Not nearly as important as, "Is there a doctor in the house?", but equally as handy for sure!  My sister is blessed to have fairly regular photos of her family because I am always learning and wanting to try new things.  My brother isn't as excited about photo opportunities.  I'm pretty sure he would rather have a root canal than have his photo taken.  I have, however, been blessed to photograph each of his children for their senior year; 4 down, 1 to go!

BEST FRIEND, CONFIDANTE, CO-WORKER, SISTER & MODEL

Allow me to introduce my sister Collette and my brother-in-law of almost 18 years Albert.  Don't they make a cute couple?! 

Over the holidays, I took advantage of some great Christmas promotions and did a little shopping for myself.  I bought a new cordless studio/location light and heavy duty boom stand.  I also picked up this handsome chair from Home Goods!

Thankfully, Collette's always willing to be my muse and her family comes along for the ride.   This time around, they helped me test out my new lighting option.

The heavy light stand allowed me to boom out my new light and use my giant soft lighter in an overhead position.  I love the results and I love how easy it was to light one person as well as the whole group.  I didn't move the light at all through the entire session.

I've been photographing these 3 kids since they were born.  They are amazing, smart and talented kids who behave like angels individually but put them together and watch the sparks fly.  Thankfully, those animated sibling interactions resulted in some cute real moments!
 

Some day soon, these three will be grown and will hopefully appreciate and love each other as much as my sister and brother and I do.  If not, they will eventually have children of their own giving them grey hair and we'll take pleasure in knowing things have come full-circle!  Ha!

Until then, we'll treasure their sibling rivalry and antics.  We'll give thanks knowing even the trying moments of parenthood are a blessing.

They'll keep growing and changing and bickering and I'll keep documenting the chaos because they are willing and it's something I truly love to do.  

If you're lucky enough to have a photographer in the family, be a willing muse.  If not, find a photographer with a style and personality you like and make it happen.  I promise it won't hurt a bit!
 

Time keeps marching forward.  Children don't keep.  Capture those memories!

Carrie