Luxe Ten #1 for 2008

How fitting that my favorite shot of 2008 comes from the last shoot for the year, right before Christmas. Most of our sessions take place outside, but this one was done for the convenience of the family in their home and to escape the bitter cold outside. When I'm with a family during a shoot, I'm always battling myself psychologically trying to get them the best...shot...ever. I don't know if the conflict comes from experience of being on both sides of the camera. When we have our own family pictures taken, I'm stressed all to pieces that the kids are acting up and not cooperating and that there just CAN'T be a usable picture in the bunch. When I'm behind the camera, as with most photographers, we know we have captured some great shots, although it's hard to convince mom and dad that when they are in that situation.

This setting here was somewhat difficult for a few reasons. You have three very young children that are in an environment (their house) that they are very comfortable in. Normally you would think that would be good, but from my experience, since they know the lay of the land, they tend to be a bit more active - which is normal - it's their house! Also, shooting indoors without extra lights and in tighter spaces, adds to the complexity.

My goal? I wanted to blend into the controlled chaos that was going on. That required me to be able to move around and shoot at a moment's notice. My flash unit was pointed up and back - using the ceiling and walls as a diffused reflector. This addressed the light issue.

We had several great individual pictures taken, but we only got as far as getting 2 of 3 of the kids to sit within an area that I could capture them together. Usually that consisted of the twin girls sitting and baby brother crawling away.

Finally, I think the big sisters got tired of their brother crawling away and they simply just started hanging on and not letting him go. Somehow this turned into something completely hilarious for the three of them and as he wiggled away, mom would set him back in the middle. Rinse and repeat.

Looking at the final result, I'm very proud to have had the opportunity to take this shot. It's just all sorts of cute. The background reminds me of something out of a Pottery Barn catalog - the diffused light coming through the sheers... the leather couch and Americana family Christmas tree. Everything seemed to just fit together with what we were trying to capture.

I got a surprise in the mail about a week later. It was a Christmas card from this family - with this picture in it. My wife and I added it to our collection of cards we attach to our mirror in our living room every year and has been the one card just about everyone who comes over has made a comment about.

What a great way to end what was a giant step for myself and my family last year. Thank you to all of you who have supported us and allowed us to be a part of your family and we look forward to seeing everyone again soon in 2009 and beyond.

Brian Sirimaturos