Through the wonders of Facebook, an old friend recently hired me to take photos of her family while everyone was in town for the holidays. I was flattered, of course, and I was also glad that she, her sister and parents wanted to document everyone together because let's face it - it's hard to do and "fit it in" with holiday hustle and bustle. And it was also Nonno and Nonna's Christmas present this year. The gift that keeps on giving. Well, here are the pics of several branches of this beautiful family tree.
We started out with a group hug of everyone - getting close always gets 'em smiling.
I like lining everyone up, too, to literally show the extended family, but add an unexpected angle for interest.
The kids are in the playset stage so it felt appropriate to gather everyone on the swings.
I LOVE this shot. I love that everyone is together and the angle (one of my favorite angles as you'll notice) really brings in a sense of environment, texture and graphic elements. This is the shot I'd choose to hang on the wall.
Nonno and Nonna with their grandchildren. Simple shot but the best things in life are always the simplest, no?
Reframing this shot gives it a bit more formality.
Oh those eyes...
I like the reflection here and the way his little hands are pressed against the window.
Shooting against this wall draws me into her eyes....and I love the catch lights in her eyes.
More catchlights! I taught the girls what that means. It made them interested in taking the photo.
As soon as I saw this golden plant, I knew with the light we had it would come out golden and add textured interest. Framing it to include nothing else makes it feel like they're sitting in a field.
It's rare that grandparents are ever photographed as a couple so had to get this in.
We took a little break to play and I like how the girls are very big-sisterish to their little cousin.
Here's where Nonno and Nonna's Christmas present comes into play. Every grandparent I know wants a shot of their little kiddos.
Individual family time. What a photogenic group. Even the pooch knew how to work the camera!
Fun on the grass. Doesn't get much better than this. An off center composition and blurry foreground adds a little zing to this already fun image. My fave of the day.
Family connections. Hold onto it.
Daddy's little girls. And yes, the dog is a Miss as well.
Sweet young family.
I'm always drawn to the images where nobody's looking at the camera. It brings you in to their connection.
And then he flashes those amazing eyes at me and I melt again! Dad's reaction here is sweet, too.
We moved indoors because it was getting really cold outside. I love Auntie's reaction to her nephew here. And the wider shot sets the scene of what us parents do all time with young children in the house.
More big sister-like moments.
Reading with mommy, whose pretty angular face looks great here.
And look what we have here in the background. I love when there is more than one thing happening in a photo. One of my faves of the day.
This is a musical family all around so there was a mini jam session.
If this isn't the face of admiration, I don't know what is.
Needed to capture that admiration a little closer and played with my depth of field for lines that draw you in to his face.
Time for the girls to rock out on the piano.
I had to photograph those little polished fingernails.
What a heartbreaker with his turned up collar and big blue eyes that look DIRECTLY at you.
A little grain is good sometimes. I like the profile view because it accentuates those tiny lips, nose and eyes.
This little guy wanted to play and mom was enjoying it. I like how these images kinda go together.
Just hanging out. A good one to look back on one day.
It was an absolute pleasure taking these photographs. I'm so glad I'm shooting again! Happy New Year to all!!
