If you’ve ever had your family photos taken with little ones in tow, you know what a feat it is.
We know the same.
It’s why I’m going to show you way too many of ours.
It was hard work to get these, baby.
Because as I’m sure Lauren (our brilliant best friend/amazing photographer) would agree, we got one good snap for every 10 crazies.
But then we’d get a great one.
And we’d get another crazy.
Let me tell you something: you learn a lot about yourself on picture day.
I went into it thinking it would be all loosey-goosey fun, and really, all I did between every great shot was grit my teeth and discipline children.
Oh yeah, totally cool mama.
There were plenty of fun moments.
And definitely lots of sweet moments.
I know I’ll cherish every one of them for years to come.
And wonder silently why Matt was the only one not wearing Toms.
I feel just a bit lighter when I see this one. Unabashed laughter. Complete joy.
I feel a bit regretful when I see this one…did I have to do a mini-squat just because the kids jumped??
10 crazies : 1 good
I’ve never loved my boy more.
Or my french chair.
And the girl actually wore a bow for a couple of hours.
Having your photos taken soon with the tiny tots?
Wear one outfit, don’t go during nap time, take a bottle of water & fruit snacks for munching.
Don’t expect a miracle. Relax.
Buy the fourth pair of Toms.
Tickle them & good things will happen.
Nix the mini-squat.
Hire/adore/thank/beg an understanding photographer–they won’t walk out on you when you grind your teeth for the 54th time.
Find a sign that says, “Love St” and you’ve got photography gold.
And don’t convince yourself you’ll all be loosey-goosey.
All of the pictures are awesome! Especially the “Love St” pix. My children are grown and we have very few pictures of all 4 of us……what a treasure these will be for you.
Thanks Gina! Know what you mean–hard to make it happen.
🙂
shaunna
Beautiful photos! And I LOVE your French chair as a prop in the outdoors!
Thank you, Katie! I thought it would be fun–we didn’t use it as much as I’d thought, but there I go again with not being loosey-goosey.
🙂
shaunna
Your photos are beautiful. My favorite has got to be the last one though. Picture perfect. You have an amazing smile. Gorgeous children and precious family. 🙂
Thank you, Karla! What a sweet thing to say!
🙂
shaunna
Oh these are so sweet! I love the one where yr adorable son is sitting on your back!
Thanks, Lindsay! I know! That’s my fav too!
🙂
shaunna
These are such beautiful memories being made. Oh, how I wish that family photos were made this way when my boys were little. We lost our younger son 8 1/2 years ago at the age of 20, and how I would love to have the memories captured this way.
But after 37 years of marriage, we still reside on our “Love St.”.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful family with us.
Tawn, thank you for sharing that–I am so very sorry for your loss. Thinking of you today. And so thankful you have your own Love St.
🙂
shaunna
Beautiful family!
Thanks, Carlene!!!
🙂
shaunna
I love, love, love this post! The whole grit my teeth and discipline children sounds just…JUST like me. Seriously. LOL! Great photos, girl! xoxo
LOL, I’m glad I’m not alone! I hope you’re feeling oh so wonderful these days!!
🙂
xoxo,
shaunna
Those are precious. I grew up a photographers daughter, it seems I’m the only child in the world who always posed and loved to have their picture taken. You and your family are beautiful.
Ahhh… love those shots! The photographer is upstairs right now trying to get a few of my 5 day old granddaughter. From the sounds of it, she isn’t having much luck! Hope my daughter isn’t stressing too much… – but I doubt it. Thanks for the lovely look at your precious family!
What a beautiful family! Great photos!! I love the locations!
those turned out beautifully! With precious pictures like these, you must have done something right 🙂
beautiful family!! i absolutely adore the last pic at “love st.”
great tips too!!
Your photos are adorable! I love the look on Grayson’s face when you and the hubby are about to kiss 🙂 Thanks for the tips, hopefully my little one will start cooperating!
LOVE all the pictures! We have never had a family picture and my kids are 17 and 20!
Cathy
CUTE photos. I think they turned out perfectly.
I love and dread family photos for this reason! I need to just relax and enjoy it, but oh. Two little boys and an uptight mama? Not so much fun. But the memories are so worth it.
Great photographs – wonderful subjects, your family glows because the love shows through. Gritting teeth and discipline? Just part of being a good Mom. Love the pictures. Thanks for sharing.
shaunna, your family is just beautiful. these photos are precious. how i wish we’d not waited so long to do the same. those tiny tot days are behind us. susan
Gorgeous shots…truly…you will be forever grateful you have them! I don’t care but am going to ask a stupid question “Toms” are….the shoes yes, but forgive me, never heard of them! They look comfy and these days that is what I go for.
Beautiful shots! I know exactly what you mean about it stressful getting family pictures of the kids. You definitely do a lot of clenched smiles. lol Things have not completely improved now that my kids are older either. 🙂
On the other hand, I have a friend that when they want a family picture all of the kids cooperate and they’re done in minutes.
At least it only happens once a year at most.
I absolutely LOVE that last one! So great 🙂 I agree completely with your advice lol- so true! And I found myself asking the same questiong about the TOMS! haha but then I thought, well maybe her hubby is like mine and wouldn’t wear them?
Super cute family!
God Bless!
(Colleen)@PaRtY of 5!
love the ones with love st. !! so cute!! my kids are older and it is still 10/1! we have to make my 19 year old laugh to get him to smile! the candid ones in between shots are always my favorite though!
Your kids are soooo cute! I don’t know how to explain it but I always think they have a 70’s vibe/look about them. Maybe it’s because they just look so wholesome. Great pics. You are a gorgeous family!
LOVE the Love Street sign!! How perfect!! Really cute pics!!
I don’t think your son wants you to kiss in that last photo!
Sooo sweet!!! I always stress during family picture time, especially when I am the one taking the pictures. Again, greats pics.!
Beautiful pictures! Especially love the expression on Grayson’s face on the last picture when you are about to kiss-that would totally be my son(who is also 5).
Great photos. what a beautiful family. Family photos have come a long way since my boys were young.
All our photos are in a studio and boring, I really love the outdoor natural photos, they are a treasure.
Oh, Shaunna, I miss you! I adore family photos and these are absolute treasures! Thanks for sharing!
You got some great shots! I know it is hard, but you will treasure those pictures forever and your kids are adorable! I also have a picture where one of my kids looks “over it”, but I treasure it because that is just his personality. True story, when I went to Glamour Shots to get my boys pictures taken, they actually wrote “bad kids” on the client info form… so hey you may not have it so bad with your two adorable kids… they look very happy and well behaved.
Hello, I am an aspiring photographer. I mainly do nature and landscapes, bugs, etc but I want to try to capture memories for friends and family to love and cherish. Thank you so for your blog. I see I will have so work and fun ahead and I hope to get great photos like your friend did! They are great and beautiful photos.