We’d had decent luck getting portraits – if by decent, you mean watching your kids disassemble the lobby Christmas tree, trample over cables, rattle lights on posts, and unearth boxes of props from behind curtains. Taking our kids for portraits was stressful. Between trying to schedule them during the sweet spot between naps and food, trying to figure out when to put on the ‘special’ clothes, and inevitably watching the ‘sweet spot’ expire into crying and screaming, my husband and I never looked forward to portraits.
The more kids there were, the worse it was, the more sweat I would arrive wearing. It was just miserable. This summer, I brought the suggestion to my husband that we should, maybe, possibly, take the entire party outside. No equipment to destroy, no close quarters or hot lights to exponentially increase the perspiration, less stress overall.
He thought about it.
I began scouting out area photographers, but the person would need to be up for a challenge.
We considered and reconsidered, twice or three times chickening out, yearning for the ‘comfort’ the ‘safety’ of a studio. We didn’t know the right answer. There was NO chance all of them would sit or stand in one place, together. None.
I was at a loss. I wanted all my children in a picture, but I didn’t want to torture someone in the process.
I ended up scheduling an outdoor shoot with a local photographer and prayed for the best.
The day of the shoot, I enlisted, well, originally enlisted my aunt and uncle, still rather spry for their ages, but, my parents, apparently feeling left out, somehow convinced my aunt and uncle that they were the right people for the job and showed up instead.
My mom, who couldn’t run a hundred yards if she were being chased by zombies on skateboards, and my dad, a sight in saggy jeans and (I kid you not) a stained sweatshirt, spent the entire afternoon trying to get in the picture with them. Decidedly not one of our shining moments.
One could count the experience, based solely on this aspect, a failure.
I tried to redirect them a few times, explaining what our vision was, and politely tried to shoo them off to the side, but they just wouldn’t go.
The photographer, Brittany, of Brittany Leigh Photography, had the patience of an army of saints. Despite my whiny mom persona, abject lack of hope, and my protestations that this idea was a bad one and wasn’t going to work, she quietly and professionally plugged on. Poor Matthew was the only one who would pause for a picture or follow direction. Michael took off in one direction while Maggie took off another, getting nearly nipped by bikers and rollerbladers. We were running back and forth and back and forth…
…and then something happened.
The impossible happened.
This girl, bless her little heart, managed, somehow, to get all of our children in one picture. Really, truly in one picture. A few pictures, actually. For the first time ever.
And I was never so excited.
We completed the transaction, forgetting all about the afternoon’s indiscretions, and my husband and I took off to Florida, for a short, yet rejuvenating, vacation.
When we returned home and saw our pictures online, I wanted to jump out of my chair and dance. We had what could only be described as family pictures, something I thought we’d traded in once we’d resigned ourselves to having three children within thirteen months.
Long story short, we received a CD, chock full of adorable toddlers – running, smiling, sniffing dandelions, and sitting together. I was thrilled.
After I had somewhat recovered from the magic that was our outdoor portraits, I did some informal research on prints, asking around, and came to discover mpix. Through mpix, we were able to create some of the most high-quality prints we’ve ever received, went frame shopping post-haste, and mounted them all. Our house is quite a happy now!
My experience, despite the obvious hiccups, was so unexpectedly positive that I returned to both places to inform them of just how happy we were.
And I have got a huge treat for local folks! Brittany has offered a free family shoot to one lucky reader and I’m so excited to have the honor of presenting it!
In addition, mpix, my new favorite company, has also generously given two $100 gift certificates for photos and photo products as part of Momma’s 12 Days 2012! And trust me, the winners, whoever they turn out to be, are going to love them.
So, as we enter the final stretch towards Christmas, sleep tight knowing you may also soon experience photo joy! May visions of gorgeous portraits dance in all your heads…
If you are local and interested in entering to win a free shoot, simply leave a comment by December 14, 2012 informing me of your interest and potential subject(s). I will draw a winner randomly from all qualified entries at 6pm ET on December 18, 2012. Valid email address required to win. Winner will receive 30 minute session at either Brittany’s studio, or Slater Park in Pawtucket, RI, which will include a CD of printable pictures from your session.
This post was brought to you entirely (and unsolicitedly) by me, who simply appreciates the good feeling of sharing positive experiences.
