Fundraising Fun with Photo Portraits!

So a friend of mine is planning a mission trip and needed to raise money.  With Christmas just around the corner, we decided to do a family portrait fundraiser.  Here are some of my favorite photos from the two day shoot!

Cooking the thanksgiving meal!

I love my family.  I know everyone mom MUST say that... but I really do.  Each of my kids have different unique qualities and gifts and way  too often I get to "busy" to notice them.  So this thanksgiving was perfect for me.  We spent it alone as a family.  Just the five of us.  


It began bright and early getting the pies made and the turkey ready.  Each of my kids prepared a portion of the meal alone with mommy.  It was so much fun working with each of my kids individually. 


We also spent time making a banner showing all we are thankful for (so those not cooking had something to do!) and it became our centerpiece when we ate.  

All in all, it may have been the best thanksgiving ever.  I love my extended family and did miss them this year... but I really enjoyed just spending time cooking, drawing, playing and laughing with three of the best kids on earth and the most handsome man I know.  

Singing while we work!

Working on our banner of what we are thankful for this year!

Yum!!!

Watch out Livi...

I warned you!

Logan's pumpkin pie... yes we put a top on it!  

I hope you enjoyed your Thanksgiving as much as I did!

No vacation for me!

So yes, it was Thanksgiving weekend.  And I have had LOTS of fun. But sleep?  No, almost none of that! I find it hard to "take time off" from my job.  I just love it so much and it really doesn't feel like work.  Plus, in this economy, if I have the opportunity to make money, you better believe I am going to do it!  


So while Thursday was full of arts and crafts, cooking with the kids, family photos and the movie "Tangled" with the family, the rest of the weekend has involved a lot of work.  On Friday I had a photo shoot with an amazing set of sisters and their families.... all 21 of them.  Yes, you read that right... 21 people with 13 kids ranging from moody teenagers to a 3 month old.  I was nervous!  The sisters were great...their only request was to get everyone looking at the camera and no one blinking.  But still... 21 people!  


In the end, there was no reason to be nervous!  Second shooter, Cherylyn, and I commented later on how well behaved the kids were.  Less than 2 hours after we began we were done with all the individual photos, group photos, individual family photos and couple photos.  Done!  In less than two hours!  What a feat.  


It was lots of fun.  And after spending 5 hours up late editing so they could see their work before they left to head back out of town, I am happy with the results.  So time to relax right?  Nope, had another photo shoot today and have to get to editing that as well.  Oh, and the school photos need packaged, and the orders from this week need to be placed, and I cant forget about tomorrow... you get the idea!


Enjoy the Mitchell Family!  Thanks so much Amanda, Michelle, Kristie and Beth for trusting me with your family portraits!   You can see their full gallery at www.devonshanorphotography.com