Family Christmas, West Point, New York. December 31, 2005.

If you have been following this series recently, you have figured out we celebrate Christmas on most any date, and sometimes several dates. With family spread out across the country in six different states, we travel to them and they travel to us in different combinations every year. One year we had 4 Christmases spread out between December 25 and late January.

So my favorite photo for today’s date is no exception. In my “favorite photos” folder I have thirteen Christmas photos, all taken on the same day. So rather than pick one or more favorites from that bunch, I put all 13 photos in a collage for my most favorite photo. All of our children and grandchildren were all in one place. Our family has grown since then.

George Washington, “The Plain”, United States Military Academy, West Point, NY. Dec. 31, 2005.

The U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York is a remarkable place. The same day as our Christmas present session, I went exploring. This stature of George Washington overlooks “The Plain”. The gray buildings which house the cadet barracks are behind the statue. If you are anywhere near West Point (50 miles up the Hudson from New York City), I highly recommend you take the tour (link below). This is my fourth favorite photo for today’s date.

Moonset over Mount Blackie, Mojave Desert, California. December 31, 2012.

Several years later we were having Christmas at Fort Irwin California. I went out into the Mojave Desert to photograph the moon setting over Mount Blackie. The whole area is covered with volcanic rock. This is my third favorite photo for today’s date.

Leah, Worthington Ohio. December 31, 2017.

A year ago after church, Leah was sitting on the organ bench. Diffused sunlight was coming through a nearby window and wrapping around her face. I loved the light so I grabbed my camera and did a few portraits. If you have been following along with this series for a few months, she will look familiar. I have been taking pictures of Leah and her two sisters since each of them was a toddler. Our families have been good friends for 16 years. This is my second favorite image for today’s date.

Links

Series: Favorite Photos by Date – all about this series

Favorite Photo, November 23 – our most recent family portrait

USMA, West Point New York – official site