Christmas Eve Portraits 
(These photos are best viewed with the monitor set to 1,280x1024)*
In 1997 we began a tradition of taking a Christmas Eve portrait. Over the years we were careful to put everybody in the same spot. (Well, sort of. My lap can only take so much.)

1997
On this same day I purchased a Nikon 50mm f1.8 lens from a guy in a Denny's parking lot for about $50. It would be the first time I had ever purchased a lens or camera. It would soon get out of hand. I used a Nikon F3 that my father had given me a few years earlier.

1998

1999

2000

This photo was taken with my new Nikon F5. It was the top of the line camera available on the market. (Yes, it was a computer that you loaded film into.)  The camera came out in 1996 and was still the best camera available. I actually thought it would be the last camera I would ever buy. Camera technology would take off very soon. (As of December 2005 I have purchased a Nikon Coolpix, Nikon D100, Nikon D2h, and Nikon D70 since that time). I will no doubt buy the new D200 when they are readily available and will not doubt buy what ever camera eventually replaced the d2h.)

2001
Time for Lesia to stand on her own.

2002
Charlie is now on his feet. I also think this shot was taken with my new Nikon D100 digital camera.

2003
This year's photo was full of sadness for a long time as we lost Beth's grandmother in a tragic car accident earlier in the year. Almost immediately upon hearing of her death we began discussing the loss it would mean to our family tradition. Posing for this photo will always cause us to remember Mae Kuebler.

(Is it just me, or are my kids causing my hair to turn gray?) This shot was taken with a Nikon D2h digital camera.

2004
Just before Christmas my Nikon D2h digital camera went on the blink. Since it would be in the repair shop over Christmas I was forced to buy a Nikon D70 for use on Christmas Eve.

2005
A little different from last year as I am now using three SB-800 flash units along with the Nikon D70. Yes, the D200 has been released but I have not been able to get my hands on one. If I could have gotten one it would have made a nice present for Beth.

2006
This year marks the tenth anniversary of the Christmas Family photo. I used a new Nikon D200 this year again with three flash units.

2007
Same set-up as last year except that I made a mistake pointing the flashes. There is a strong shadow over Alex's face as the flash on the left side obviously fired much brighter than the one on the right side. My son Alex is also sporting a little bit of hair. (Dad always loved the buzz cut.)

2008
For 2008 we are joined by Alex's girlfriend Hayes. We also have the addition of my new child, a Nikon D3.

2009
So 2009 is the 13th year doing the Christmas Eve photo.

2010
So 2010 is the 14th year doing the Christmas Eve photo.

(Notice a red mark on my forehead? No, Beth did not take a swing at me, I walked in the raised tailgate of my car while unloading presents. I thought it might have been the big one.)

2011
So 2011 is the 15th year doing the Christmas Eve photo. Nikon D3, Nikon 24-70 AFS 2.8, Nikon SB-800 flash with a white plastic diffuser attached. Camera on a tripod with me pulling the trigger on the remote control.

2012
So 2012 is now the 16th year doing the Christmas Eve photo. My brother Paul's daughter Alyssa Fejer joined us this year. (A special treat.) I used the exact equipment as last year. (Yes, I went an entire year again with no new equipment.) Nikon D3, Nikon 24-70 AFS 2.8, Nikon SB-800 flash with a white plastic diffuser attached. Camera on a tripod with me pulling the trigger on the remote control.

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