The session inquiry started with, "I would love a unique family photo shoot with [my husband and me], and our kids and families." Request unique and you shall receive. (I plan for every session to be unique. It's just that some clients feel more comfortable venturing further outside the box.)

A given was to have the session in the studio before spring warmed up for corn and soybean planting. Also, because young children were included in this extended-family session, we didn't want to take time during the session to choose furniture and backdrops. Well ahead of time we decided on a date, a red settee, and a black subtle-patterned backdrop. Alrighty then ... all set! Maybe.

With this being a farming family, my thoughts (and, little did I know, my heart) gravitated toward old farm shop items. They fit with an agriculture theme and some even offered splashes of color.

Typically I'm confident, maybe even bold, when suggesting possible props to clients. I was surprised at how sheepishly I suggested the following items to this family: a kelly green oxygen tank and a rusty blue oil barrel.

Unique? Yes!

Colorful? Yes!

A near miss? Quite possibly!

At the time, I wasn't sure if the family members were genuinely enthused about the items, or if they had reservations but just trusted me. However, when one family member expressed she liked the idea of adding more color, we ran with it for a few of the photographs and without for others.