17 Oct 2007

One, Two, Three...Cheeeeeese!

My mother-in-law once commented that Mike brings his camera everywhere. It's true. We do take a lot of pictures of our kids and scenery. But not so many of ourselves. I don't know a lot of adults who love to have pictures taken of themselves. Well, maybe one or two. Who shall remain nameless.

Not only do we not really take pictures of ourselves, but we never go to a proper studio to have a family portrait taken. Benjamin was 3 months old when we took a family picture for Christmas. The result was awful, and we haven't been back since.

Fast forward 7 years.

For my mother's 60th birthday this spring, the kids and kids-in-law decided to give her a picture of the entire family. One new grandson and one move across the Atlantic later, and PICTURE DAY has finally arrived. So after school, a play date for B boy, and showers for all, we are meeting up with the rest of the clan at the photographer's studio.

It should be interesting.

Adorable baby Emil will have to smile for one hour, straight through his usual feeding and nap time, due to his mother and auntie's brilliant sense of timing when they made the appointment for 5 pm.

This would be good:




And I'll try to make my own not-so-little baby boy, Benjamin, smile without pulling his shoulders up to his ears, pushing his chest out, opening his mouth as wide as possible and raising his eyebrows to the sky in an attempt to not close his eyes.

This is what we don't really want:




Oh, and did I mention that my brother will be turning up with a bleeding finger? He cut it at work yesterday, and despite two visits to the emergency, it is still bleeding.

Yep, it should be interesting. Wish us luck...

25 comments:

Kellan said...

Gooood Luck! I'm sure it is going to turn out just fabulous!!

Victoria said...

Best of luck! We're remiss in the whole-family-photos too...a gazillion pics of our kids, cousins, pets, friends...but few of the whole clan.

Can't wait to see it!

She She said...

Good luck! We keep meaning to do this -- get the hwole family in one frame -- but we just never seem to get around to it.

The Lady Who Doesn't Lunch: said...

I too prefer the more natural, goofy family photos. But for your ma, sometimes the formal family portrait is called for. They are fun to look back on later. If your brother bleeds too much it may be appropriate for a gory Halloween photo.

Lisa said...

You painted a very funny picture of your clan! I hope the photo shoot goes well, since you moved across the Atlantic for it, and all!
At least your boys' hair will look good! :)

Anonymous said...

Sounds like it could be a memorable occasion! Hope it goes well.

Heidi said...

I have only had one professional picture of my daughter taken when she was 3 years old. I guess we also just prefer more natural pictures. And I can't remember the last time I saw a picture of myself, I usually just tear them up!
Good luck getting everyone to smile. My son does this thing where he only smiles with half of his mouth if I ask him to smile. It looks very silly.

Stepping Over the Junk said...

hopefully he wont pass out withthe bleeding finger!

Unknown said...

Oh, man. I just had the same idea-- haven't booked it though. We used to stage a family christmas card photo every year-- somehow when we moved South we stopped. I remember making my husband a baby boy dress in long johns, start a fire in the fireplace and shoot film for a hour trying for the best shot-- in 85 degree San Diego!
I can't wait to hear how it turned out.

ewe are here said...

Good luck!

We, too, take tons of pictures of our boys, the scenery, stuff...

Karen MEG said...

Your family is beautiful Heidi - should be such a nice shot. Your mom will love it.
That picture of B-boy says it all. Liam misses him and Christopher a lot, so he's so happy to see their pix here.
I was terrible with family portraits as a kid. Mostly gloomy. My kids, however, are mostly hammy as you well know. But Liam assures me he did a "normal" smile for his school pic yesterday :)

hokgardner said...

Good luck with this. I can't even get my three kids to sit still and smile all at the same time, let alone all five of us.

Jennifer (Jen on the Edge) said...

Oh, that's going to be good all right. The outtakes should be quite excellent. Possibly at least one crying child?

Queen of the Mayhem said...

They are so cute! Family pictures are NOT fun to do...but are usually worth it in the end!

I feel like sometimes I need to write in my kids' scrapbooks that they DID INDEED have a mother....since I am always the one taking the picture!

Aliki2006 said...

Have a wonderful visit! And, by the way, I love that smile with the scrunched up shoulders...

theotherbear said...

You never know, it might turn out to be the best photo ever. Although in general I agree, casual photos are more interesting and natural.

TheOneTrueSue said...

Ha ha ha - the picture of your son made me laugh. My daughter does the same thing. Point a camera at her and it's instant cheese - except she tilts her head to the side, girly style.

Family Adventure said...

Thanks, all. It went pretty well. Emil cried just a little bit, and B boy practiced his 'nice' smile in the car all the way to the studio. My brother hung in there, no fainting or blood spattering seen anywhere.

Now we wait for the proofs.

Erin said...

Oh fun! Family photos are always a trick! We haven't done it since 1999 or so?! Guess it's time now that we moved far away!

Suburban Correspondent said...

All my boys at that age do those weird smiles for the camera. Drives me nuts...

Gina said...

I hope it went well!

Beck said...

Ah. I see your son smiles the same way mine does right now, which makes for some verrry interesting photos at the moment.
It's better than sullen, I figure.

painted maypole said...

hope you get a good pic!

Shan said...

Hope the pictures turn out great.

Hae Yung said...

There is a phase where kids just can't smile naturally in front of a camera. Nathan and Benjamin seem to be at that stage. I tried once and I haven't tried a family portrait again. Good luck. I can't wait to see the pictures.