At the beginning of the month we made our way to the JC Penny’s studio for our annual family photo. Obviously, Chris and I are missing from the shot, but someone had to be sacrificed for the greater good. There was no way I was going to be able to get everyone ready AND look halfway decent for the pictures as Chris had a meeting he could not miss that day. Soooo, it was just kids (who really wants to look at the old folks, anyway) which, in theory, seemed easier. Well, if it WAS any easier, I didn’t notice because the entire experience was a nightmare. The first few pictures came fairly easily, everyone was in a good mood as I made sure everyone was fed and well rested (and well scrubbed, too!). Shortly after that, things started going downhill. Isabelle decided she wasn’t so sure she wanted to sit still. Then she insisted on holding some of the prop apples, refusing to put them down without screaming like a banshee. Honestly, it takes a LOT to make me sweat, and I was dripping. As soon as we got her moderately calmed down (apples in hand), Jude decided he was ready to be done. In fact, he refused to sit for even ONE MORE picture after that. We spent 1 1/2 hours at that studio and ended up with 7 shots to choose from. Thankfully there were a few that were good enough to buy… meaning everyone was looking and had their eyes open. In fact, after I received the finished pictures, I was almost glad I had endured that nightmarish afternoon, jumping, smiling, laying on the floor… anything to try to get Jude to stop crying. Finally I held him on my lap and she was able to get a close up of him smiling.
I left there completely exhausted. Sweaty and just plain worn out. Yeah, it was all worth it 🙂
GREAT PICTURES…
I love them all..
Sounds like us on our Holiday pictures.. 3 big kids and 3 furry kids and us.. it is funny..
Have a Great Evening.
Kim
Sounds like Mom had to pull all the tricks out of the hat that day! LOL! Well, it worked and these are gorgeous! Thanks for sharing!
Stef-
I am only laughing WITH you. It always cracks me up the lengths we will go to to get a “happy” family picture. It turned out darling though! It really did. And thanks for making me feel so not alone in the whole dreading picture taking.
Love,
AnnaB. in Boise,ID
You had me fooled for a minute. I have those nightmarish photo shoots every time, I thought it was just my kids! Isnt it all worth it after the sweat and tears! No really your family photo was so perfect unreal like with everyone looking up and happy! I LOVE it!! It would be weird if they were too cooperative.
Again your family is such an inspiration!!!
Hugs Cathy
Omigosh does this sound familiar! And I only have to deal with 2 kids! Our last try, Carl took one brilliant shot and then decided there was no way he was sitting on the table any longer.
But the pictures you posted are beautiful! I think it was well worth the trouble!
It’s not an easy task. I laugh about the eyes open, looking in the right direction….
Great photos.
Too Funny, but GREAT pictures, it was worth all the work!
I just emailed you back and asked about them, guess I should have checked here first 🙂
Love,
Denise
Let me tell ya – it doesn’t get any easier as they grow up – because then they cop attitudes!!
Great pictures!
~Carla
Oh Stef, I dont know how you do it. We have done two professional sittings with Piper, one at a Mall in Colorado with her cousin that truned out GREAT and one with a photographer in town that turned out horrific, wrangling SEVEN is giving me hives!
lovely photos though, you’d never have known;-)
Hayley
And wasn’t it you who said you didn’t want 7 in the new title of your blog cuz “you never know”??
Oh woman. You might be drenched with that kind of mentality! ;O)
Seriously though- if anyone can do 8 is enough, it’s you.
I hope I meet Jude one day. When I look at him I’m always reminded of that dream I had of you before we met, the one where you told me about the adoption before anyone else (in life) was actually told!
The pics came out great. Love the one of the girls by themselves!!!
I hate going with only 2 wouldn’t even want to think about 7!!!
They are GREAT!!!! How fun!!!
I will try to never complain again about the woes I have capturing my ONE child who seems to have the energy of five. I have only taken Lindy for pictures twice–last Christmas. One at Target and one at a place called Portrait Innovations. I cried at Target and felt like an idiot. I told my hubby I’m never doing it again alone. Truth is, the best pictures are probably the ones that capture the reality of life–snotty nose, bow falling out, tears in the eyes and all.
Your pictures ARE beautiful. Your family is incredible!
Have a lovely day,
Lisa
You have a beautiful family and a beautiful heart.
Kim
It was worth it – what a lovely family!! I got a rash thinking about wrestling seven, I know how bad it can get with two – I am not worthy of complaining!! You did good – they look great – job well done, Mom!
Heather
Stefanie,
Thanks SO much for putting Get a Blogover in the sidebar. Very cute! You’re great.
Love the photos. Your kids are beautiful. And the ones of Sophie and Belle together are so sweet.
Danielle
Are you mad??? Is getting an annual studio photo a tradition in the U.S. or something?? Why would you bother when you take such beautiful beautiful pics of your own?? ( I mean this in the nicest possible way!)
cheers to all your beautiful family –and I thought four was a lot- silly me!
Best wishes,
Jo in Aus
The pictures are great! Thanks for sharing the story behind getting a few good shots — it made me smile.
Sheri