First-ever family photos

Our family has never been to have professional pictures taken. That would require organization, planning and effort. We are more likely to help someone else make arrangements for their family photos than to do it for ourselves. Not that we have a pictureless life.

A wonderful and talented friend came along for Cam's baptism to capture the candid moments in sweet style. When my sister got married, her fabulous wedding photographer took a couple of great shots of Cam. Then one time for my mom's birthday, Cam and I went to Portrait Innovations with my brother and his kids to have pictures of all the grandkids taken for nana. But we have never, ever all gotten ready for the purpose of having our pictures taken as a family. . .until this weekend.

You see, my sister is this amazingly talented person. She can paint, draw, build itty-bitty models of great big buildings and design incredible buildings that could actually be built! Perhaps more importantly, she takes beautiful, amazing pictures of my little boy. Literally every framed photo of my child in my house was taken by my sister. And now, she's ready to share her talent with the world (or at least my friends and friends of my friends).

This weekend, Rebecca came to town to photograph four Charlotte families who trusted her to take their family photos. She did an amazing job - and worked her tiny little butt off getting the perfect shots for each family. Then, she suggested perhaps Shaun, Cam and I could come down after her last shoot and let her take some pictures of us. . .as a family! Then we would be all ready to make our Christmas cards and get them out before brunch on Christmas eve, which has always seemed to me a perfect deadline for sending out Christmas cards.

So Sunday morning, we got up, got clean, got dressed and showed up, all spiffy, to have Rebecca take our pictures. True to form, Rebecca got us just right. Cam's hair is less than perfect, Shaun and I only occasionally looked at the camera at the same time and yet Rebecca caught us in lovely light, truly happy to be there. I've included four of the shots - totally beautiful pictures that likely won't make the Christmas card. These have not been edited or even touched up by Rebecca - she could make them look even better than they already are.

So now we have family pictures we can use for Christmas cards - and it's just the 12th of November! Let's see when I get the cards actually done. . .