"Perfectly Imperfect:" Real Fall Family Photos
I wanted to write a bit about Family Photography today and the importance of embracing what it’s like taking photos with kiddos. Okay moms, I am going to pick on you for a moment. So many moms get incredibly stressed about family pictures. They coordinate the perfect outfits, pray that no one is sick, and have visions of their family happily sitting in the perfect pose, all looking at the camera, and smiling with the perfect “real” smile. Oh moms! It’s time to let it all go and see your family photos in a new way!! First of all, posing kids is like torture. Rarely does a two year old want to sit perfectly still let alone in their older sister’s lap! Second, when you are in the outdoors and surrounded by trees, leaves, maybe a lake, the last thing your 5 year old wants to do is sit in front of it all perfectly still. Third, if the purpose of your photos is to preserve a moment in time of your family, do you want to remember this moment looking a way you never really do?
When in doubt pile on top of mom and dad!
So, what are we to do about family photos? Look at the chaos of what it’s like to be a family and embrace it! See how beautiful it is that your little boy is running back and forth screaming and giggling and probably making gross noises. See the beauty in your little girls as they twirl and dance or go off in search of flowers or animals. See how hilarious it is when the family dog jumps in the lake and then shakes it all off on you. Then, sit back and play or better yet, take it all in. See your kids for who they are - beautiful, active, silly, chaotic, and truly in love with their world! Then, let your photographer capture it all - and see how beautiful the “perfectly imperfect can really be.”
One of my clients described her session this fall in this very way:
It’s a Fall classic. Mom spends hours coordinating outfits, packing a bag of bribery, and covering up the black eye that was gifted to her by an accidental back hand by the 4 year old. Only to have the kids refuse to put on the clothes she splurged on or brush their paint filled hair. After 3 epic tantrums and 3 outfit changes, mom finally convinces the kids to get into the car to attend the golden hour photo session turned cloudy with 25 MPH winds. Seconds prior to the first snap of the camera the toddler sneaks a piece of gum from the bribery bag and big sis take a fall in the mud. 🙄
But despite the high winds, toddler cheeks full of gum, 4 year old tears, muddy knees and won’t sit still for a camera high energy kiddos, Ann Marie still manages to capture this👇. The beautiful chaos of the moment we are in right now. A moment that I wish would speed up and slow down all at the same time. Thank you AMG Photography for your patience and somehow capturing all of this perfection among all of the “imperfect”.
Are you ready to let go and enjoy your next family session? Give it a try and see the beauty that unfolds!
Nothing better than a hug from dad!
