So for a holiday gift last year, I gave my sister and brother-in-law a certificate for a free photo session. When I finally took photos of the happy family last week, it became a very humbling experience as a photographer-in-training.

I realized quickly that my "winging it" approach to practically everything in life doesn't always make for the best photographs with an infant who has a very particular schedule, and who provides mere 15-minute windows a few times a day when he's actually awake and alert. My sister wanted family photos with the three of them as well as perspective photos that show how tiny he is at this time in his life. I think I managed to accomplish it, but not without realizing a whole new respect for family photographers.

I still feel a bit like I have multiple personality disorder when it comes to enjoying a whole diverse range of styles of people photography -- I love quirky or silly, love documentary, love black & white artsy detail shots, and love the classic shots that can be warmed up and made to look a bit vintage and timeless. It can mean a whole lot of finished photos to sort through, but really, for the foreseeable future, I hope I continue to have this "conflict" which is really more of a blessing.

More photos are on my Flickr account.