As Christmas time approaches, I’ve had so many families talk to me about taking Christmas card photos for them that I’ve had to start turning them away!  Most of them are people I know from other shoots I’ve done, and it’s fun to catch up with them again.

The Plahns, Wilkes, and Clancys are no exception.  I’ve photographed them all before for various things, and they’re all fun-loving, outgoing, and selfless groups. Put them all together, and you’ve really got a fun bunch!

First, the Wilkes:

The Clancys.  Last time I took photos of them was on their wedding day. Now they’ve got a beautiful baby girl!

And finally, the Plahns!  By the way, if you’re looking for hair wax in your school colors, Eric’s your guy.

How much fun can a bunch of kids have with a shopping cart left in the park?

…or a bunch of adults and a shopping cart, for that matter…

Can you spot the newlyweds?

I love this lighting.

Thanks, Plahns, Wilkes, and Clancys, for asking me to shoot your family photos!  I laughed so hard going through all these photos, remembering the stories behind them all.  Hopefully your Christmas card recipients will enjoy them too!

When the Contreras family first asked me to take some photos for them, I was pretty interested in doing it.  But by the time Luis explained exactly what was going to be involved, I was absolutely thrilled with the idea!  Family members from different states and countries, all in one place, for a very short time… count me in!

For me, that’s the best part about doing photography for anyone.  It’s helping meet a very specific need with a very specific service.  It’s hard for me to create just for the sake of creating.  But when I’m creating to fill a request someone has, I love thinking through the very best way to give them something that they will treasure.

Sometimes, that means incorporating some of the newest photographic techniques I’ve learned.

Other times, like when Luis and his family, his parents, brother, sister, brother-in-law and their kids are all together, it’s just a matter of clearly showing who they are and the joy they exude being together.

See the family resemblance?

Where it all started… Mom and Dad!

I wish I had more pictures like this of me and my brother from when we were this age…

Did I say something funny?  Oh no, they’re really laughing at Gabriella, who’s behind me making silly faces.  Evidently she’s quite good at them. 🙂

I love the motion in this one…

Cousins!

To the whole Contreras familia, thanks for asking me to take your family photos!  I had a great time, and am thankful for the opportunity to give you some images to remind you of the beautiful family God has blessed you with.