I, photographer.

Good looking family!

 Earlier this week my friend Tanya asked me if I would take her family's Christmas card photo, and I kind of panicked! After all, I only have exactly one four-week photography class under my belt, and exactly zero experience taking family pictures. At first it seemed like a really bad idea, but Tanya was persistent and had the kind of faith in me that only a real friend can, and so I agreed to give it a try.

Tanya and her Rick.

So today I tried my hand as a family portrait photographer! We met up at the park in front of a tree Tanya had picked out, and got to work! It was a really bright, sunny day, so it took me a little while to get the family positioned where they weren't squinting at the sun, and to get my camera settings figured out, but then we were on our way, and there just wasn't time to feel fumbly and inadequate anymore! I just kept seeing great shot after great shot appear in front of the camera, and all I had to do was capture it. It certainly didn't hurt to have such a good looking family to work with either!

Their cute kids

Fortunately, Tanya and her family didn't have anything very complicated in mind, so all I really had to do was position them and start shooting. If they had showed up in elaborate costumes and requested that I capture them as an all-juggling, all-fire-breathing family on unicycles, then I would not have been the photographer for them. But I am happy to tell you that I am capable of a fairly simple little shoot at the park. And considering how unsure I felt beforehand, I'm pretty pleased and proud with how things turned out! I won't be turning pro any time soon, but I am glad that I took the chance to try something new when it came along.

And, bonus of bonuses, Tanya and Rick were happy with the result. Can't ask for more than that!

Now, if our own Christmas card photos go this smoothly tomorrow, I will let you know.