Family and Friends Come First - Snow

Family and Friends take over the holiday leaving no time to edit and post...
Therefore I give you a filler picture until the holidays are over.  ;)

View from my livingroom window:

 

Four Wonderful Families – Boys!

I had wanted to share with you these four families prior to Christmas…however, as it so often does, life got in the way and changed my plans.  Oh, well…we’ll just have to celebrate Christmas a little longer here at Beyond the Whiskers.  ;)

This week I’d like to introduce to you to Wendy, Tim and their four (yes, I said four) energetic boys: Wesley, Wyatt, Colby, and Blake.

Typically, because I am often interacting with babies, young toddlers, and expecting mothers-to-be, safety is at the forefront of my mind at all times.  While there may be fun and games, there is always a strong element of caution involved during a shoot.

Wesley, Wyatt, Colby, and Blake quickly taught me to set that mindset aside and embrace the fact that when it comes to four teenage boys…adventure is the name of the game.  And adventure can lead to…

Conquering Caves...

Scaling walls…

Hanging Doorways...

 

Climbing trees...

 

And even some goodnatured family roughhousing …

 

 

 

After a bit of reassurance that everyone would be fine from Wendy…I must admit, it was a very freeing experience to watch the tough and tumble balls of energy that are boys.

Thank you Wendy, Tim,Wesley, Wyatt, Colby, and Blake for taking the time to share the day with me.

 

Lesson 1:  It helps to talk to parents ahead of time to find out what is considered OK and what is not.  (Example: climbing a tree is OK, but jumping in the lake may not be).

Lesson 2: Direct sunlight is not your friend unless you really like squinting.  I heard that shade is good, but for best results consider taking you pictures in the very early morning or closer to sunset.  Anyone have any suggestions, please send them my way.

Lesson 3: When dealing with a family of teens, especially boys, come up with some physical activities that everyone can participate in.

Wordless Wednesday - A Little Christmas Cheer

After last week, we could use a little Christmas. 
Our decorated Christmas Tree:

 

 

Since so many wonderful people have begun hosting Wordless Wednesday linky's I'm running out of space on the posts. So, now I've put all the buttons on their own page.

Click here to find more pics and Wordless Wednesday linkys.

Or Just click on the tab at the top of the page titled "WW Linkys".

Thanks!

In Loving Memory - MomMom

Many people have grandmothers...in our family, we had a MomMom. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Betty (Fidler) Pfennig

 

MomMom...

 

 

 

We will cherish the loving memories you have left behind.

 





Wordless Wednesday - Two Teams/One Family

 



To see more pictures from this photo shoot check out Two Teams/ One Family

 

Since so many wonderful people have begun hosting Wordless Wednesday linky's I'm running out of space on the posts. So, now I've put all the buttons on their own page.

Click here to find more pics and Wordless Wednesday linkys.

Or Just click on the tab at the top of the page titled "WW Linkys".

Thanks!

Four Wonderful Families – Two Teams/One Family

A few weeks ago, on what seems now like the last warm Sunday of the year, I met with four families who were kind enough to allow me to practice my picture taking skills on them.

Today I’ll introduce you to the second of those families…Jeff, Julie…and their two children…Morgan and Emily.

While we only had a few brief moments to capture a couple shots, it was a pleasure to meet the two sweet girls...

And  joy to see a family who, although on opposite sides of the bleachers on game day,... 

demonstrated that they knew how to come together after the whistle was blown.

Special thanks to Jeff, Julie, Morgan and Emily.

Lesson 1: Defusing sun through trees can made for some nice soft light.

Lesson 2: Outfit changes can be a fun way to bring energy back into a shoot.

Lesson 3: Dogs do not often look where you want them to look…consider bringing treats along.

Wordless Wednesday - Steelers Fans

Some of my favorite pictures from the Four Wonderful Families - The Steelers Fans Photo Shoot!

 

 

To see more pictures from this photo shoot check out Four Wonderful Families - The Steelers Fans 

 

Since so many wonderful people have begun hosting Wordless Wednesday linky's I'm running out of space on the posts. So, now I've put all the buttons on their own page.

Click here to find more pics and Wordless Wednesday linkys.

Or Just click on the tab at the top of the page titled "WW Linkys".

Thanks!

Four Wonderful Families - The Steelers Fans

A few weeks ago, on what seems now like the last warm Sunday of the year, I met with four families who were kind enough to allow me to practice my picture taking skills on them. 

Today, allow me to introduce you to the first of those four families…Kristen, Michael and their two lovely kids…Joshua and Paula.

Having only taking pictures of very young children up to this point, it was a great deal of fun watching the two older siblings interact and pose together. 

 

 

 

It was a real treat to see personalities come out as the afternoon went along...

one demonstrating a flare for adventure...



 

 

the other poised with a hint of serenity...

 

 

 

By the end of the shoot everyone was a little tired and ready for the long walk back to the car...





 

But for this family one more important photo (and change of wardrobe) was a must...

 

Thank you to Michael, Kristen, Paula and Joshua for allowing me to capture your afternoon on film. 

Lesson 1: Direct sunlight is way too harsh.

Lesson 2: Shade is your friend.

Lesson 3: Get the kids involved when it comes to poses…they can come up with some of the best.