Winona natives, Troy and Michelle Kieselhorst, along with children Brittnie and Blaine, met with local photographer Katie Franzwa Nov. 29 to take Christmas photos at Veterans Memorial Park in Winona. “We prefer to take pictures of the kids in a natural setting, doing what they would normally do instead of posed portraits in a studio,” Michelle said. (By Katie Mogren)
 

Thanksgiving has come and gone and Christmas is quickly approaching. As December falls, families are busy preparing for the holiday season by stringing lights, baking cookies and buying gifts for loved ones. 

The Kieselhorst family prepares by readying a family portrait for Christmas cards each year, hosting their portrait site at Veterans Memorial Park in Winona.

The family laughed together as Franzwa told Troy to wrap his arms around his wife and daughter.

“You’re squishing me,” Brittnie said as the family laughed again.

The harsh wind brought tears to their eyes as Michelle took a facial tissue out of her jacket pocket and handed it to her son.

The family positioned themselves for another pose as Franzwa looked through previous photos on her camera. As everyone settled, the click of Franzwa’s camera resumed. Franzwa snapped the final photos in rapid succession for a minute before ending their photo session in the park.