Step 1: Choose one all-powerful figure to serve as artistic director for the year's family photos.
This was, obviously, me.
Step 2: Artistic director decides on a color scheme and refuses to heed the complaints of others regarding said color scheme. In this case, cool, dark colors. Also, artistic director chooses a level of formality--this year, jeans for all!
"Dad, no, not a white shirt. Everyone is wearing dark shirts."
"How am I supposed to wear jeans when I don't even have any jeans?"
"Should I wear my pink sandals or my flip-flops? I don't have any other shoes!"
"I feel like I look too casual."
Step 3: Choose a time when everyone is available. This is extremely difficult when it means balancing multiple work and school schedules and everyone's social and educational commitments, but it can be done.
It can, right? I mean, there's got to be a single hour during daylight when all 7 of us are available, right? It just might take a few weeks to find one
Step 4: Find a photographer. I mean, there's always the tripod route, but actual hands make the job easier and give Dad a more natural smile. Ideally, your photographer friend is willing to work for ice cream.
Thanks, Jess!
Step 5: Choose venue. Or have several brilliant ideas for picturesque venues, choose one based on a practical location, and keep in mind a rainy weather location just in case, because you'll not have another chance for family photos again before Christmas!
Step 6: Day of, make sure hair and makeup is flawless. Don't forget details like...the camera.
"Who's going to do my eyeliner?"
"You're using too much hairspray! I can't breathe!!"
"I'm serious, we're leaving in 10 minutes, whether or not your hair is done."
"But nobody told me I was supposed to get the camera ready."
Step 7: Smile, and never, ever, ever....blink.
Step 8: Take plenty of poses, even the weirdest ideas that are composed on the spot, because you never know what might end up being a keeper...
Step 9: Give the photo card to the artistic director so that she can tackle the monumental task of choosing the right shot and making a photo collage that fits perfectly on a printable 4x6 card and includes any missing family members (that step only applies to families scattered among several states/countries).
And it might turn out looking a little something like this. Bam! All 10 of us on one card, and it didn't take a family trip to Cambodia to achieve it, though nothing will probably ever be as epic as this shot from 2015:
Have you taken a family photo this year?
Your family is awesome and reminds me so much of my family in a lot of ways :)
Although I love the finished product, photo 2 is my favorite - rock it Sarah!
I love all of these photos! The fun poses are really cool. Your top looks awesome, btw.
My mother-in-law has her own photography business and is really into taking photos, so she's already told us to plan on having a family photo shoot when we visit them for Christmas. I think it will involve 6 adults, 2 little kids, and one baby, so hopefully it won't be too difficult to manage, but I'm sure it will be an adventure!
Cool photos! Sounds like fun!
Love it! I have a big family and it is nigh-on impossible to get a group shot everyone is happy with!
We've actually NEVER taken family photos :P one day...one day...
Family photos can be so much fun. Especially looking at all the bloopers we you're finished.
Rachel, these pictures are perfect! I can feel all your personalities coming right out of my computer screen! Can you come to the states and play artistic director for a photo shoot of my family??
That's so great! I honestly can't remember the last time we purposefully took a family photo. I mean, we took a lot of pictures when we were all together at Christmas, but it was totally a tripod affair. We'll have to try this sometime very soon.
Haha I love this! :) Y'all did awesome!!
AaH, these are lovely! We try an arrange family photo's every year! It's such a wonderful way to honor the family! Thanks for sharing.
What a fun post! I think family photos should be fun and reflect the members of the family like yours do! I laughed out loud reading this post!
This is awesome - love all the pics! What a wonderful and beautiful family!
These are all so great! That second one is my favorite, though! So cute. Love all your tips! :)
I loved this! Great photos! Looks like you all had a lot of fun!
Haha! I love this! We had to wait for my mom to visit to have a free photographer. Most of the pictures are a bit blurry, but I don't care even a little.
Oh my gosh, I LOVE these! You and your sister in red look SO alike! I kept thinking she was you! My family has also rocked the pyramid one time or another with plenty of laughing and shouting ("Your knee is digging in my back! Hurry! Take the picture!!!"). These are so great. Love the tips ;)
This is awesome! We need to get family pictures done soon.
I love these tips! We haven't taken one yet, but we will all be together next weekend, so I have a feeling the cameras will be coming out! I will keep these tips in mind!
Haha that's some direction and styling effort you put in! Beautiful photos of the family and I love all the candid shots. You and your sister look like twins, I can easily look at her picture and think that is you ;)
xx, Kusum | www.sveeteskapes.com
My favorite is the one with everyone's arms folded! Even if you don't use it for a Christmas card, you should definitely use it for a caption contest!
haha, I love this! I recently got a fancy-schmancy camera (I've been wanting one for the past 10 years so I decided it was finally time to treat yo' (my)self! My family hasn't all been in one place for the past decade (mostly because of me), so I really need to get on this! And yes, I shall remember to never ever blink and to keep smiling even after the smile gets fake! Your photos look so fun!
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