Finding Encouragement Through Everyday Life: Family Photos

{encouragement}: take (decent) family photos

But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children--Psalm 103:17

I'm sure many of us busy ladies can attest to having pictures mainly of the little ones or of other people, but not many where all of the family members are together. Together as a family unit, where all eyes are looking in the same direction, and where all the smiles are for the same cause. Back in September we were able to get a formal family shoot done. This was only because I won a holiday giveaway and shoot was free. So kid you not- we probably wouldn't have done one because photographers are quite pricey! I couldn't slap half a grand down for pictures! However after talking to a few friends it came to my understanding that you don't really have to pay a fortune for these things to get done. Some found Groupon deals, a friend to take the shots with a nice camera or just a junior photographer finding their way into the professional world. I always thought you had to get those big shot, top dogs to take your family pics - but now I know -there are ways around it!

Taking these family photos was NOT an easy task. KA (firstborn) is not much of a cooperative picture taker and really could care less if her pictures are forever stamped with her mad dog look. And for Babester (second born) she would do a whole lot more, just as long as there was some incentive to it (i.e. "special treats" like gummies). However when it came to smiling and saying "cheese" Babester took it to the extreme (as you'll soon see below). So taking that picture perfect family photo took way longer that I expected-like 2 1/2 hours long! Thankful for the patience and silliness between the photographer and her assistant, we were able to get a few decent shots. So encouragement for this post is to take the time to get together as a family, with decent clothes, and say "cheese!"

Yes this is Babester's "Cheese" face. Cheesing so hard her eyes aren't showing!

Glad the photographer caught this one. They really do love each other.

The parents' face must have started creasing because we were smiling so hard and for so long just to get the kids to put on decent smiles.

Clicking the best photo for this setting took the longest! First the kids didn't want to sit on our laps, then they didn't B didn't want to sit on my lap, then KA didn't wan to sit on Daddy's lap... yea, headache!

Oh my little KA. She is getting better at smiling for the camera- just got to do the right things to make her smile!

Glad we got this shot of B. Sometimes life seems rushed where she is forced to grow up too fast and catch up with older sis. It's good to be a kid.

Need to take more pictures with this wonderful and adorable piece of MAN

The girls here are really laughing it out loud! Thanks to the Assistant playing peek a boo with them behind the photographer and her instruments. Hey, whatever it takes to keep them going. And yea, you notice what's in their hands?