Photography

Photographing cake can be art.

~ Irving Penn

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For everyone taking photos this holiday season, I suggest not worrying about getting the "perfect shot." That isn't reality.  that isn't what your life is like with shirts tucked in and hair combed and clean faces and shoes tied. 

The food isn't always perfect.  Sometimes the cupcake has a fingerprint in it.  And sometimes siblings are pinching each other when the photo gets taken.

No one remembers the kid smiling on Santa's lap.  But the ones who are crying their heads off...  Those are the great shots.

I'm not saying make your kids or family cry just to get a good photo.  I'm saying let that happen naturally.  It will.

Those perfect family photos on holiday cards or in portraits on the wall, they hide the real stories.  The interesting stories.  The tragedies and the comedies.  They are like photos of paper.  One dimensional.

So let your kid wear his Halloween costume in the Christmas family photo.  Or let Grandma wear a plaid that does not go with what Aunt Lois is wearing.  Or let Grandpa wear his favorite shirt, tie and jacket - none of which go together.

They'll make for better stories later on.  

Happy Holidays.