Sunday's session & a lesson learned

I had a session on Sunday with an extended family. There were 13 members at the session- five adults and eight children, ages 4-10. I could not get over how well behaved these children were!! They were so wonderful!! They played outside for a while, where I got individual shots, and then it was time for group shots. After we were finished we went inside where I got some indoor shots. Now for the lesson learned. The goal was to get shots of the children and many group shots. I realized why I never try to get photos of my ten nieces and nephews when we are all together- there are too many of them in one place! My average session does not exceed three children. With this small number I am able to take the session slowly and get to know each kid, (remembering their names and how many photos I have taken of them) talking to them or interacting with them one on one. This gives me the ability to create photographs that represent the child as they are. With eight children running around, making sure they are having fun and being themselves- I had so many children running across my lens. Many times I found myself composing a photo of one child, and right when I release the shutter one of the other seven runs across the lens. Naturally I should have asked the children to break up into groups of three, playing in different parts of the yard- but that would never have lasted! They all want to be together and want to see what the others are doing! I would end up with one large group again! When we went back inside, the boys all went into a room where they played with legos. I was not able to lie on the floor or crawl around the room as I normally do. The girls were a different story- but i felt that i got a good amount of them outside so I was trying really hard composing images of the boys while I could indoors. So yeah- no matter how well behaved the children are, bringing large groups together should only be meant to get group shots and that's it- UNLESS it was an entire day spent with the family! More kids, more time needed!! :) If each of these families are interested in individual home sessions, I will be be giving discounts- so please contact me!