I again was challenged by a big family unit session. The more people there are, the more difficult to hold people's attention.
 

What is more with this challenge on this particular day with this family was the wind. The wind was gusting to 30 miles per hour from the South. The time of day I took the picture was not ideal for the sun was high in the sky. Yet, this was the time when all family member were present. So I just went with the time.
 

When I got to the location, I checked all around the house to see if there was less wind anywhere. Well, it was windy all over. Then I stood still for a while to see which way the wind was blowing my hair. I really didn't want the hair to blow in the face. I wanted the hair to blow away from the face. So I had them facing more towards the sun, which is not ideal. The house in the background was ideal though, for it is part of the family farm place.
 

When I do photo shoots, I always analyze what I could do different. I did think about it afterward that I could have had them come to my studio and take a picture or two. But then I thought  would the picture mean as much to them from a studio location or the whole family at the home farm. I am guessing there is more meaning being at the farm.
 

This picture of the whole family reminds me of a picture from yesteryear, yet only in color and in the present time. How often do the whole families come together like this even if it is for an hour or two? When I talked to many families, they usually say it is so hard to get everyone together. It just so happened that this family came together for a special reason for a special little girl, Elliana Leopold, who is battling neuroblastoma, a pediatric form of cancer.
 

As I parted to go back home, I forewarned to those listening that they were going to have wind blown hair. Then Dar said, " That is ok! It is real! " The statement actually made me feel good. My wish would be that the family members will one day look back and say," I am glad we had the picture done in spite of the wind and how we had to sit." This is their memory set in time!