This was a great, and busy year!  I loved getting to capture so many family portraits this fall.  I’ve been holding off sharing any photos from these sessions because I didn’t want to ruin the surprise of Christmas cards or gifts!  So, I thought I’d share some photos from my session with my own family today!

Doing portraits with you own family always comes with the same struggles my clients can face: picking out the outfits, being sure that everyone stays clean in those outfits, preventing hangryness with snacks on board, etc.  But photographing your OWN family (including the family dog!) is a little added struggle. There are more goofy faces, a little less grace going around, and maybe a bit more craziness. Being that we had a random free Friday several weeks back, I wanted to take advantage of the time and rush up into the mountains for our family Christmas photos.   So spur of the moment, we headed up to Shingletown. It was a lot of work (I burned so many calories running between the camera, setting the timer and getting back into position- I know, I know… that’s why they make triggers!! Didn’t have one!) but also a lot of laughs (like trying to get the dog to focus on the camera while I was running toward my family, the opposite direction we’d want him to look)!  My talented kiddos also got to be photographer for us for the photos of my husband and myself.  They did an awesome job!  And, while I may not plan things go to down the same way next year, it was a fun afternoon, trekking in the mountain, being dorks with one another, capturing just how crazy we love!

We start with the one where we cropped the dog because he wasn’t paying a lick of attention!

 

 Nate’s go at being the photographer…

 One of my favs!

 I am beyond blessed by these three amazing people!

 This perfectly captures how the twins LOVE to pick on their little sister!

 But there is GREAT love between them and am thankful!

 

 My beautiful Colie- we often get comments about how she looks just like me (and for now, she doesn’t seem to mind) but there are many times that I think that her beauty, inside and out, has surpassed any before her.

 My baby- the passionate fireball with a constant sparkle in those beautiful blues!  Her love and passion for the Lord and others is unparalleled.

 And my son, an amazing compassionate man that loves others sacrificially! His sly smile and blue/green eyes do me in too!!

After many attempts, we discovered how to grab the dog’s attention and make him look at the unmanned camera… throw rocks and sticks towards it!!  Eek! Thankfully my husband is a good shot and never hit my equipment!

 

 Beyond blessed by this man!- Captured by my beautiful Nicole.

 And, photos would not be complete without one of me and my puppy love!  Seriously, best dog ever!

 So, this is the perils of shooting with a timer… pushing the button to focus, pushing it too far and capturing a shot instead…

 And this is my family’s sense of humor- “I know, let’s torture Mom!” We were all getting pretty done at this point!

 Finally!  A great one!

 And, another favorite… I love my crew!

 And here’s a series by Lauren… I think my hubby was a bit done at this point but Lauren kept saying, “One more.” Wonder where she gets that? 😉

 Cannibalism??

 That’s better!

 

 This Christmas season, I desire to remember the many things for which I’m thankful, starting with the grace of God that has been afforded to me; overflowing into blessings like my husband and children; the fun gift of photography and capturing moments like these; the gift of amazing clients that bless my socks off year after year.  I am an abundantly blessed girl!! 

 Merry Christmas- Love, the Wildauers

 

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