"I'm exploring purchasing a family photography session as a third anniversary gift for my wife (we have one child, an infant)," wrote Mr. Gay.  "I'm an awkward photo subject.  I like having photos that look more natural and that capture the moment.  Our wedding photographer got some good pictures, but it was more volume than quality, and the lighting wasn't great.  This time for our family photography, I'd prefer quality over volume."

At their family photography planning/design meeting, we talked about concerns they have about how they look in photographs: awkward smiles were to be avoided!  Mrs. Gay commented that her right eye is smaller than her left, and so I noted that she would stand on the camera left side of the photographs, so that when she turned inward, her right eye would be slightly closer to the camera, and her left eye would be slightly farther.  (Things that are closer to the camera appear bigger, so this would partially eliminate the size difference.)

Two weeks later, wet met up at woodsy and rustic Manassas National Battlefield Park in Northern Virginia, one of our favorite places to photograph at.  Baby Calvin, about 11 months old, did awesome, though he didn't much like wearing the Santa hat!  Enjoy some of my favorites from their Northern Virginia family photography session below.

Do you too prefer quality over quantity in your family photographer?