It could be that almost every photo that my family has ever taken involved hours of preparation. Coordinated clothes (which includes lots of arguments), perfect poses (more arguments), and an effort to get just the right expression from everyone (hard to smile in the middle of arguments). And then there's all the discussion and disappointments when the pictures come back. SarahLynn's head is too tilted, Dad isn't smiling all the way, SarahLynn isn't looking at the camera, Tanya is the only one that looks good in this one, SarahLynn still isn't looking at the camera, what is Dad doing in that picture, this picture would be perfect if SarahLynn was looking at the camera.
Maybe my anxiety stems from all the adorable professional photos of my friends' kids on Facebook. It doesn't help that Tanner has gotten in the habit of being a pill when I try to get decent family pictures. And even though Dallin is the most cheerful person in our family, he doesn't smile much for photos. I didn't want my whole family to go through all this trouble only to have my kids ruin all the shots.
My stress could be from the traumatic experience we had with The Picture People at our last Zavoral shoot in Sacramento--two hours of waiting to get in the studio even though we had a reservation, no AC in their building, and most of our photos were deleted before we had a chance to review them, including most of the family shots.
Maybe I have unrealistic expectations from the photographers. I have only come across a few that can take initiative with organizing us into good looking poses. And then there's the magical moments that almost every photographer misses because they are busy fixing their cameras. I just want a decent picture of my boys, but I guess having both children facing the camera, in focus and with a semi-positive expression is too much to ask.
Then there's the time limit. Don't even get me going on that!
My stress increased when my sisters and mom kept texting me, asking why I still didn't have an outfit for the photo shoot. I can barely decide what I'm going to wear today, let alone 10 weeks from now! I just don't see the sense in planning so far ahead. A lot can happen with a waist size in 10 weeks, especially when you might get pregnant.
Well, the big day arrived. I was sweating bullets. Tanner and Dallin wanted to dress themselves and style their own hair. My top wasn't working the way I had hoped, and my hands shook as I put on mascara for the first time in ages.
But somehow, my little family of four was ready before picture time, and we looked really good!
I had a few moments of panic on the beach. It was super windy. Like the kind of wind that messes with your balance. And Tanner and Dallin wouldn't hold still for anything! I knew we wanted candid pictures while playing in the sand, but I didn't expect them to be bouncing all over the place. Jeremy held me back from trying to control them, and that was a good thing. The photographer followed them all over the beach as they darted from one sand hill to another. I wasn't sure how she would get any good shots of them.
I was afraid to look at the photos when they were sent to us. But Tanya assured me they were good! I can't believe how amazing these turned out! I was really blown away.
Once again, I learned an important life lesson:
Don't Worry, Be Happy!!
And it helps to have an amazing photographer. She is Carrie Friesen Photography.
Desha had the idea to jump in the pool with our clothes on. I was looking forward to this part! And these pool photos ended up being my favorite ones because all of our smiles are genuine. Here is candid at its finest...
Tanner thought we were crazy for getting in the pool with our clothes on.
Thanks, Mom, for organizing and sponsoring this photo shoot. I think I'm looking forward to the next one, especially if we can jump in another pool. :)
