Family Gatherings
This time of year... fall, Halloween, the impending holidays of Thanksgiving and Christmas and New Year's... they all bring about a sense of family for me. Memories of my own childhood with siblings and friends, the joys of starting my own traditions and continuing old ones with my own nuclear family, and visiting relatives are all wrapped up in these last few months of each year. While seeing family was in the plan at some point, I had the privilege of traveling north to visit family a bit earlier than normal this year. While the trip was only a short 5 days, we slipped in a few holiday pictures of my nieces during the time. I'm so glad we did!
This is the littlest's first Christmas season! Barely seven months in these photos, her personality is beginning to show, with cautious smiles, wide-eyed wonder, and a love for her big sister. I've been taking photos of my oldest niece since before she was born (gotta love maternity photos!) - and to carry on the tradition of capturing my own family means so much. I set up my backdrop stand and a single studio light in the living room - the same room where I'd done so many photos of my oldest niece as an infant and toddler many times over. I love having the flexibility of a portable studio set up (backdrops, lights, etc.) - especially as days are shorter and natural light isn't always available! While there wasn't a tree up (YET - it will be up soon, I'm sure), I had a handy "holiday" backdrop with some cute little trees on it to add to the mix. My sister has always liked keeping it simple for backdrops, so white and this holiday scene worked well, with a few props added in to keep the little one's attention. I love the maroons and creams of their outfits with these backdrops - a gentle compliment to the minty greens, too. Outfits can make a big difference, and these solid colors let the focus stay on the adorable faces and interaction between the girls rather than the clothing.
The gathering of family for these upcoming holidays is a special time, and while sometimes the cameras (and phones) are forgotten among the meals, football games, and general activity, capturing a few moments can be worth it. These little smiles, remembering how the kids looked at these ages, looking back and enjoying the memories of what the photo shoot looked like in real life (there was chaos - my toddler stood directly in front of me for all the big smiles in his attempt to "help" get the baby to smile... it was dinner time, and we set up in the only available space right in the path between garage and kitchen...). But look at the outcome - a set of beautiful photos of THIS moment. Of this time together before the holidays sweep us up. I hope you gather with your family and snap a few selfies together, and then spend time making memories full of laughter and jokes and really good food. Happy Thanksgiving!
