The Joys {and Sorrows} of Taking Family Photos

Guys, am I the only one who gets excited for family photos?! Wait, let me correct that.

Guys, am I the only one who likes having family photos for cards to display, but might dread actually taking them?? Please tell me I am not alone.

Let me start by saying that growing up my dad was the official photographer of our family. We even said he ran “Wayne’s Photo Pics” because that is how often he had a camera around his neck taking photos. And videos. But that is another post.

I digress…my point is that I grew up with a {very loving} dad barking at me to smile, sit still and to stop talking while he was taking photos! He still does it with my own children and with his two grown daughters. But you can’t argue with the results.  My sister and I are expert photo takers. We stand totally still, but at an angle {obvs}, until he gets the shot. Please note the below ::

You know who does NOT do that?? My own children. 

They are constantly wrestling and moving and talking and smirking and saying “poop”. Ahhhhhh!!! It drives me up the wall I tell you, no pun intended. And I start barking for them to stop; smile with your eyes ZACHARY; that is too many teeth showing JAMES. Guys, I am a delight.

At one photo shoot when the boys were little. I was asked to leave. By my husband. For dropping the F bomb.

It was not my finest moment, but the photographer was NOT getting the shots we needed, and why was I dealing with such an amateur, and can I speak to the manager?? My husband led me away quickly and told me in no uncertain terms that he had this and I needed to take a walk. From this photo, it is VERY obvious he did NOT have it.

What am I supposed to do with a shirtless baby on a bridge?? That is not holiday card worthy! And what about this one with their cousins ::

So. Many. Questions.

UGH, but guys, why do I do this to myself? I did inherit the need to have high quality photos of my family, yes, but do I have to turn into a raving lunatic to do it?? I get so sweaty and ragey {it’s a word} and no one enjoys it. After the photo above, I decided to switch up my tactics. I now just want a photo of what we look like during that year. Period. I wear whatever it is I wore the most during the year {Spoiler :: 2018 is the year of the denim dress} and while I still make the boys wear collared shirts, I don’t care about shoes or accessories. As evidenced by this photo were James is showing off his Garmin fitbit and his Lifetime Fitness access band while looking like a baby frat boy. 

Let’s be clear, I can barely even. But I held it together. Oh and I still leave the room when they are taking their individual photos. It is really best for everyone that I do so. 

Though I could be heard in the background exclaiming, “I ask for SO LITTLE!” A leopard can only change so many spots, am I right?