You book your session and  stress about outfits, ordering multiple items and sizes online (only to return 90% of it).  Once things are decided you can sit back and have this idealistic view of your family frolicking through a field looking blissfully happy. 

It’s family photo season!!  And I too scheduled my own family photos!  I thought I would treat myself to having my makeup done (thanks to the talented Timaree), had my kids home from school a bit early to save on time…only to still be rushing around last minute trying to get everyone ready, keep everyone clean and get snacks into the car to arrive on time.  Kids crying, boots missing, sweaters that are uncomfortable…seriously I could write a book! 

We finally get in the car, pick up Bob from work and head to Discovery Park…a place I have always wanted to have our own photos taken at.  Meanwhile in the car, the girls are bickering and despite just being fed, already complaining about being hungry…not to mention bows and braids being destroyed along the way.  Yep it happens to my family too! 

Often people arrive at a photoshoot a bit frazzled.  Everything seems to happen right as you walk out the door…something doesn’t fit, someone has to go to the bathroom or that bright red spiderman toy is attached to your childs hip and tears may be flowing!!! 

Regardless the thing I love the most about photography is the final outcome.  I love how Ryan Flynn captured our family…A bit chaotic with my kids expressions yet some tender moments.  Of course there is always some posed and some candid but that’s how life is too!  We try our best to keep it together and then sometimes it’s just a gong show and hey….that’s ok!

I have so many people say after their shoot…”wow that was more fun than I thought”!  The goal to have fun…I’m ok acting like an idiot to get kids to relax…the best part is they probably won’t remember!  And sometimes awkward leads to the best laughter!  AND…When all else fails RUN…let them run…run away from you then towards you and by the time they do that a few times they are tired and need to breathe…and both sets of photos usually turn out to be awesome!

The other thing that makes me smile about my job is when my clients are surprised at their final gallery of photos.  Seriously kids cry so let them cry it out and photograph someone else OR get one of the best snot bubble blowing, alligator tear photos that they can show one day at their wedding slideshow!!

OR just yell "SPIDER" and get the best organic scared reaction ever!

One mom from one of my most recent sessions emailed me… “These look great!!!!  Thanks so much!  We were all super stressed that day from running around etc and you couldn't tell at all from the pictures!”

Honestly…fall is busy but I love it and I love how the same technique leads to different photos for each family!!