How To Take Holiday Family Photos Without Really Trying*

It is usually a bit of a challenge to get our own family photos for our yearly holiday/Christmas card.  Partly because I don’t usually hire anyone else to do it and partly because my husband and children are all, “This again!?!?” when we really only take them formally once a year a few times a year.

What can I say?  I love photos.

But y’all know that already.

Anyway, in past years I’ve done various different things like used photographs of only the kids.  Two years ago I “traded” with a friend and used her backyard and had her press the silver button on my camera when I was in the photos, then I took some of her family (she did a good job too!).  Last year I used a remote in my hand, after putting everyone in their spot and me running repeatedly and frantically to my designated spot.  I’ll admit that wasn’t my favorite.  But we got some cute pics. Except this one – oh my!

This year I told the hubby not to worry about being in a photo, that I would just use photos we took throughout the year.

Like these: (or any other several that I have taken this year…)

 

 

But then I got sad thinking about how I love looking back at the kids every year and that I should at least take a photo of the three of them.

So, I did…

…after purchasing kinda coordinating clothes at Crazy 8 (the “crazy” is totally apropos) and saying silent prayers for good weather one afternoon this week.

The lighting God(s) smiled on me and we got the money shots.

 

And of course, we also got the “OH My Gawd would you please just sit where I asked you to and smile… get the dog, he’s running away!! Katie, smile with your teeth! Oh shoot, forget the dog, just sit down and smile for the love of Pete!” shots.  Yeah, lots of those…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(money shots to be revealed later and on our Christmas cards)

I will say, for the most part, they did great.  And so they got ice cream basically for dinner.  Even the dog was allowed into the local ice cream shop and they gave him a milkbone.  It was so cute!

 

Until next year…

 

Now is the FUN part for you!  Join in with me and my HappyMamas friends as we ask you to highlight your happy moments from this past year and post them on Instagram.  Just tag your photos #HappyMamas2014 and enter below to gain extra entries!  Follow me on Instgram @misselaine0375!

 

*you didn’t really think this was going to be a “How To” post did you???