Shots from the "Christmas No" File

From the "Christmas No" file

In our family, I take our holiday photos using a timer and a tripod. We all get a big laugh as I count backwards from ten while running to make it into the shot in time. But getting the perfect shot is a lot harder than just making it in the photo. In fact, it can be really, really hard to get all six of us in the shot, and looking forward. To get all six of us to smile and not blink is nothing short of a miracle. And if someone happens to have an aversion to Santa hats, it makes my job that much harder. As I went through the photographic gold at the end of the day today, I made two files. One for "keepers" and one called the "Christmas No" file. These are some of my favorites from this year.

From the "Christmas No" file

Sometimes I ask the kids to do something dangerous to get the perfect shot. As you can see from my youngest Amanda on the right side of the photo, she thinks she might be 50 feet up in the air. This could be incredibly dangerous, and I'm glad to see her using extreme caution at these heights.

From the "Christmas No" files

However, I encourage fellow photographers not to point out to their subject that they have not climbed as high as they think they have. Doing so may result in their subject's total withdrawal from the photo shoot.

From the "Christmas No" files

After a change in scenery, I'm happy to see that all four of my children are completely focused and ready to go.

From the "Christmas No" files

Tall Amanda is goofing off here, and I'm pretty sure that Tiny Amanda is telling me to get that camera out of her face.

From the "Christmas No" files

I've read that in rare cases, having the sun shine into your eyes causes your tongue to stick out instead of making your eyes squint.

Christmas 2014

But in the end, it's all worth it when you get that one shot. The shot that can not only go on the Christmas Card, but also on the wall. And even better than getting the shot is getting the memories that go along with it. I am so incredibly thankful that I get to spend my life with these people.

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