I take my camera everywhere. Capturing everything. I've done this for years. And when you're a family member of a photographer you have to quickly get over being camera shy. But my family? They don't like pictures of themselves. Ever. So when I was presented the challenge of taking a family portrait, I laughed. I thought trying to wrangle two year olds in pictures was difficult enough, let alone a one year old, an infant and six adults. Did I mention it was mid day, the sun was blindingly bright and it was hot and humid? Yeah. Perfect day for a family portrait.
I tried to find the shadiest area of land on my sister's property. Now for a community that was built only a few years ago, shade is quite a commodity. We were working on a schedule that was driven by nap times and feeding times, so waiting for the perfect light was not going to happen. The only shade I could find was their back patio. Bring out a couple chairs from their dining room table and we had a portrait area.
Pointing. Directing. Posing. Alligning the tripod. Setting the timer. Running.
You wouldn't believe how many times we sang If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands! Grown adults singing and clapping off camera. I love it.
How we were able to get Cameron to look at the camera when no one was standing behind it I'll never know.
