A lot goes into the preparation for a family photo shoot by the mother herself. Choosing a photographer, a location, a date, the outfits and getting everyone cleaned and dressed and ready. Undoubtedly there will be stains on the clothes you didn’t notice before, runny noses, grumpy children and frustrated husbands.  Let me just say as a mother and a photographer- you are not alone! I never do a shoot where all the children sit perfectly, smiling like angels, where there is no bickering or headbands being taken off or clothes getting wrinkled or children crying. It doesn’t happen and guess what, that’s ok! Embrace it, laugh at it because guess what, I am prepared for this! You don’t need to worry. Between candy, singing, dancing, bubbles, help from parents and making a total fool out of myself, and just letting kids be kids, we will get the shot. I promise. I post a lot of pictures of perfect happy families. So how about we change things up for todays post? Here are some outtakes from past shoots. Truthfully these crack me up, it’s fun to see all the different sides to a child’s personality!

Cute little Violet is so full of personality! She just wanted to run and play so when she had to sit for a picture this was her response: to go cross-eyed! Such a funny little stinker! I didn’t even know 3 year olds knew how to cross their eyes! I’m highly impressed 🙂

And here she is again. She’s a biter! I don’t think she really hurt anyone but I love the expressions of both her sisters!

Candy! Yep I am not above bribing children! The problem, they can’t seem to get enough of it!

Apparently the kids weren’t loving this haha!

Even as a photographer I am not above the photo shoot drama! My son is a runner and would take off the moment we let go of his hand. My daughter found it hysterical! I found it frustrating, but I love this picture because it perfectly captures my kids personalities.

And just to prove that things can go awry even as an adult. This was my husbands response to having to kiss me in front of the camera. Thanks hubby! 🙂