Tag Archives: Christmas

Christmas time is a great time to get those very rare family photos. For many of us, Christmas may be the only time of year we see some members of our family – close and extended. Don’t let the opportunities to get photos slip away.

This is my uncle Ronnie. He loathes having his picture taken, but he barely humored me at the annual maternal-grandmother’s Christmas gathering. He’s 6’5″ of surly VietNam vet, and I am certain he could put the beat down on Chuck Norris. He taught me how to fight (a very much needed skill for boys in the latter part of the 20th century), taught me how to shoot a gun, and basic gun safety, and scooped me up to take me to the ER when I ripped open my knee on the backyard swing set. This year was the first time I’d seen him in maybe 5 years. In addition to being a loved family member, he is also the kind of “character” I like to take pictures of.

This is my 91 year old grandmother with my 40+ year old baby brother. Gram (pronounced “grahm”) is still spry, witty, and sharp. She tolerates her home being overrun each year by her children (all well over 45), their spouses, grandchildren, and now great-grandchildren. She still cooks a few dishes, though the amount of food brought by the rest of the family eliminates her need to do so. Christmas is, again, the only time I spend any time with her. I know, I’m a loser, but that’s the way the family dynamics work sometime.

There are more family Christmas photos posted on my Flickr page, including some studio shots of my brother, sister, father, nieces, etc. I suppose I am fortunate to have a bit of talent with my the camera to be able to capture these family moments when they occur, but don’t let your lack of a heavy Nikon D300 prevent you from getting these potentially once in a long while (or maybe even “last chance ever”) family photos.

Oh yeah, one more thing. Taking special photos is just one part of the equation. Get them out of your camera, off of your computer, and share them with the people – especially the people who are important to you. Family photos are prized possessions. Use your talent to give that gift to others.

Merry Christmas.