Stills

I wish I had been drawn to photography years ago and had taken dozens and dozens of photos such as this one—even with mom's eyes closed. (Of course, I hope you snapped several and have one with her eyes open.) With time passing so quickly, records of these moments are so precious.
 

'Of course, I hope you snapped several and have one with her eyes open.'

Nope, just one. I was the last in line of at least 4 people snapping this photo, hence the unguarded expressions on some of the subjects. I've always been terrible at group photos, but there's something about this one that nicely caputres the dynamics of my extended family.
 

Whoever set this up had an eye for composition and the importance of the background. There are some great individuals there. Given your name, am I right in assuming some Scandinavian faces there? At least five.

I sympathize with Anita's wish, but in our case, the family was not at all extended and not even this number could have been mustered with children included.

Parr has a a lot to answer for doesn't he?!! But then he is (or certainly was) an iconoclast in his field.
 

Matt, your mom's smile is so sweet and she looks so happy that those things make catching her with eyes closed not so bad. What a nice touch that your dad(?) has his hands on her shoulders making that connection.
 

you are doing much better at group pictures than I do.
I'm interested in the dark solid are at the bottom of the picture compared to the light dappled leaves upon leaves at the top of the picture. The band of mostly light coloured tops and smiling faces makes this a very happy and light hearted picture.
 

A family photo outtake -- but more interesting and revealing than a version that would end up in the typical album. There is something very animated about it. Not knowing the people, I am still engaged.
 

For me the central character is the matriarchal Grand Mother. Whilst everyone else is concentrating on the camera GM has a slight look of disinterest, been there got the tee shirt, done this before.

Was it a wedding, or christening?

I am in the period of my life now where the majority of family gatherings are funerals. I have commented to family members that nobody takes pictures at funerals but that there are (currently) no family occasions where the remnants of the family can be captured in pictures. The next generation don't seem to be getting married.
 

John, I think a cousin set this up. The family name is Dutch, as are most of the spouses.

Robert, the linked photo was the scene which directly proceeded this; I snuck in at the very end. I usually suck at group photos. Somewhere on my website I've got a group photo which features my sister flipping me off.

'A family photo outtake -- but more interesting and revealing than a version that would end up in the typical album.'

That was my thought. I'm glad it works even when one doesn't know the people.

'GM has a slight look of disinterest, been there got the tee shirt, done this before.'

She has definitely been there, got the tee shirt and worn it out. She's a funny lady.

This was at the wedding of a cousin. The rest of the photos are here.
 

Thanks for the info on the family name!
 

This balances out very well and no shadows on the faces. I think there are some other close calls on the eyes. As Rex says, this does pivot around grandma in the 'middle' - putting her a little off centre makes it much stronger.