It has been a little over a year as a family of 8. We have taken family photos, but not necessarily “professional family photos”. This Christmas season I wanted to set a time to do this. We don’t have a lot of extra money, but a very talented photographer from our church stepped in to help! I have a lot of creative energy these days so I started setting up days before the shoot, my family thinking I was going a bit crazy. Although I usually get a bit overwhelmed and anxious during family pictures, this session was fun and Melissa was able to capture our personalities and passions very well. Charlee was determined to have her turtle, Boxy, in all the pictures adorned with her colorful headband!
Below is my favorite picture of the bunch! As crazy as it seems, I wanted our beaten up, incredibly large, paint peeling, duck taped, bumper fallin’ off, semi-inherited church van we named The Boxer in our pictures. I wanted to remember this insanely crazy time when we look back years down the road (when we hopefully can afford a car that is not falling apart ha!). This picture also captures how everyday life around here seems to be these days. Whether we are laughing or crying, screaming or silent, we will always be a family and one day we might have it all together.
Side note: As I was setting up this scene, I had The Boxer in another spot in the yard. I wanted to turn her around because the doors on the other side opened wider. Matt warned me not to go deep into the yard because it had been raining and the ground was very soft. I, of course, had it under control and went to turn her around. Surprise, surprise I ended up getting very stuck and not in the spot I had originally wanted! Our neighbors, I am sure, were watching thinking what is this crazy lady all dressed up doing trying to push a gigantic 12 passenger van out of the mud!! I walked in head down feeling defeated to the kitchen to tell Matt, but he had been watching from the window and already knew. Sure he seemed upset, but I bet he was laughing on the inside. Later that day, we had to call AAA to come pull her out after our poor attempt using kitty litter and a yoga mat. Thanks Mom for always paying for our membership!
After finishing up here, we walked down by our lake for the next spot. I love setting up and decorating, but I don’t think about lighting and all that. On the way down to the lake, Matt kept saying how my setups were not good lighting spots — which I understand he just wanted the best for our pictures — I was just sad to move things around. So as I may look strong and put together in this next picture, inside I was feeling slightly disappointed, frustrated as the kids were getting a bit antsy and I had to pee!
Melissa did a great job regardless of the lighting! She also captured our kiddos perfectly…
(although Levi and sweet Mia put up a bit of a struggle).
The boys…
The girls…
Thank you so much, Melissa, for capturing our first family photo session as a family of 8!!
Merry Christmas 2020 — from the Tubinises!!
PS… because Bo didn’t want to participate that day, I had to take my own picture of him!!
Melissa Fagan says
You are so welcome. I love this post and I’m so glad I had the privilege to take your photos. The backgrounds were charming and perfectly imperfect just like we all are!!!
I have also reflected on the beautiful way God interweaves our church family. Matt influenced both of our kids when they were in student ministries. During a time when they were definitely more likely to listen to a cool guy than their parents.
I look forward to capturing y’all again as your kiddos continue to grow.
XO,
Melissa