When taking portraits of a family or group it sometimes can be very time consuming for them.  As a photographer you always are assessing the individuals and trying to understand their thoughts.  One of the hardest part of photographing a family is when there is a younger child that rather play, not smile or even start to cry (the one thing you don't want).  Parents usually try to get the kid to sit still, look there, smile and then forcable make them do what they want.  This is when I step in and try not to allow this to happen, because that is when the kid starts to cry and that is definitely not what we want.  Crying pictures don't sell!!!  When this happens I usually tell the parents don't worry or get upset.  We will just try and capture the child in his natural element.  These photos usually turn out to be some of the best ones.   See an example below.  This boy was awesome.  He was fun, but just didn't want to sit and smile.  So instead we just let him walk around and do what he does best...  I think it turned out pretty good..  

Also check out some of the other family photos I have recently took.  Book early if you want to get those holiday card done soon.  See ya.. Andrew