It's Never Too Late to Capture What You Might Have Missed

The above title is inspired from a George Eliot quote that states, "It's never too late to be what you might have been." An all-time favorite quote of mine and my new slogan for my photography business.

I write today because I am happy to have taken the family out for our annual holiday portrait. Ironic that a photographer has yet to get the family portrait complete but now I can check that off of my list of things to do.

Hair washed and straightened, matching/coordinating clothing on, we headed out the door on a clear and crisp Colorado late afternoon. We arrive in time to find an empty parking space of what I can an "all dayer." He'd been hiking up in the Colorado foothills all day by the looks of his backpack and gear.

With my gear loaded on my own back and ready for work, we pile out of the car and head to what's now coined as "Mom's fence spot." After bringing many clients up to this very spot, my own family is prepared for their portrait to be taken.

The family is easily posed (of course, they know the drill from being an assistance on countless shots with me). Thankfully this year I have a wireless remote that fits snuggly into my vest pocket and wah-la....I am ready for action. I compose the shot and "click" the camera fires and captures our brief moment in time.

Under and over the fence I hop, composing several more shots of the family. One (not so) brief moment of technical difficulty and we're back in action for more shots. We move up to our beloved rocks and pose again. I think we have some good ones and off we go for a family dining experience at Chili's.

To photograph one's own family is a lot different than to photograph a complete stranger's family. One...the strangers listen and respect your knowledge and skills. Two....the strangers don't back talk. Three...the strangers do whatever you tell them to do. But...Four...the strangers won't be hanging on your bedroom wall or smiling on your holiday cards.

All in all it turns out to be a fantastic shoot with plenty to choose from. It's us, the Spencers, so we choose the most unique and non-typical shot we took. We'd have gone with the one of us giving the peace sign with our fingers but someone's hair was in their eyes.

Now, to choose a card to attach it to. That will be another story...