With the holiday season upon us, many families are scrolling through their 2012 photographs, looking for that one image that will faithfully represent their clan in the annual holiday card. If you can't find one, however, it's not the end of the world... you can always MAKE one. Just got everybody gussied up (or at least mostly dressed), set the timer, and take some pictures. If you aren't happy with the results, then bring me in to help... that's what these guys did.
Shooting formal portraits with young children always feels so crazy, like we are asking for the very last thing they would ever do of their own volition. I can hear them thinking, "Why on earth are we standing still, looking at that dude? This is boring." I sympathize, kids. I would rather roll on the floor with you, chase you around, and let you throw things at me. But occasionally, we need a family portrait to document to remind all our friends who we are, since we haven't seen them in years. You will understand one day, I promise.
I must take a moment to thank Dad for his heroism during the shoot. After his son accidentally threw his prized football off the bridge and into the river, Dad punched his hero card by running down the ball, wading INTO the river, and retrieving the ball, completely saving the day. And then he proceeded to pose and smile for another 30 minutes in wet shoes and socks on a sunny but brisk November day. Admirable.