Fear the Beach Picture

Family beach pictures...three words that strike fear and dread into the heart of every mother. If you've done them once, then you know to be afraid. You know the sun will be blinding, the wind will be blowing, the kids will be complaining, and your husband will be resigned with a hint of unspoken "I told you so". You will have to find coordinating outfits that no one over the age of three would be willing to wear. You will have to bribe, cajole, and even threaten, all the while being careful not to bring tears to anyone's eyes or leave marks on their bodies. Kidding, kidding...sort of...you know I speak the truth.

If you're trying to take a picture of more than one person, it will take herculean effort to get everyone to smile AT THE SAME TIME. You'll be saying things like Smile pretty, I'm sorry the sun is bright, smile anyway, Close your eyes and I'll tell you when to open them, Stop hitting your brother, and Now come on, that one would have been perfect, if you hadn't moved, grimaced, closed your eyes, or been goofing around. And why are they goofing around? Can they not hear the urgency and pleading in mom's voice? This is serious business people and not for the faint of heart.

Because of all of the above, I had not taken anything but casual beach pictures for a few years. Maybe a shot or two before we would go out to dinner, but no outfits, no pressure, no multiple poses, certainly no fantasy of capturing the dream. However, next year my oldest will be in college, so there's that THIS MAY BE OUR LAST CHANCE kind of pressure. 

I did not however, even attempt a parents plus kids event. There is just no way I was ever going to succeed in that without major professional help. Trust me on this.

So we did it...we got some decent shots of the group and some even better shots of individuals. We had fun making fun of the whole picture taking scene. This was the first time I think I'll ever look back at our pictures without recalling threats or bribes. The begging was still there though!  

First a couple outtakes. We keep it honest here folks!



And now two group shots that made the final cut.



While we were taking these pictures, a woman stopped me to tell me our family is beautiful. I was honored and thankful and aware that these five are precious blessings and no picture can adequately capture how I see them.

I know you feel the same way about your blessings. Maybe not during family pictures, but definitely afterward!

Have you captured that elusive perfect shot at the beach? Have you found that beach vacation in general has its ups and downs? If so, you might relate to Family Vacation Reality Check!


27 comments:

  1. Lovely family and they're all smiling at the same time! :)

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  2. Suzanne of Simply Suzannes at Home

    Your commentary made me laugh!
    My family and I frequent the beach often, and we see at least 2 families taking photos every time we go . . . and yes, I hear mom's pleading with their kids to smile and behave. Having wonderful photos of our children and families make all the headache and effort worth it.
    I haven't attempted to photograph my kids at the beach yet, but I have tried the park . . . and it also presented challenges and there was lots of complaining. I was exhausted afterwards. But when I saw the photos, I was so happy.
    Your children are so beautiful! I'm so happy that you did it! Great job :0)
    Have a fun weekend,
    Suzanne

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    1. Thanks Suzanne! I think pictures of the park are hard too. Really any family pictures! :)

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  3. I think these are great! Family pictures are just stressful in general (at least to me)!

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  4. Great pictures. The outtakes are my favorite!

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  5. I love those last ones! I also love a sarcastic sense of humor! :) Thanks for stopping by Oatmeal Smiles!

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  6. I quite agree your family is beautiful, when i read that part of your post it gave me goose pimples, really lovely pictures for a lovely post x #MagicMoments

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  7. They are really lovely kids! And of course you are a lovely mum! It is really hard for me to get a family photo lately I am always the photographer. One day when I am not shy anymore to ask a stranger =P

    #MMoments

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  8. I do love it on the rare occasion someone says something lovely like that about our family. A real moment of pride, and yours do look beautiful!that

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  9. I have yet to ever capture that elusive picture!

    thanks for linking up with #MagicMoments x

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  10. It is so tough to get decent photos of the kids (much less us too!); these are really lovely x #MagicMoments

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    1. Thank you, Sara! I appreciate you visiting here! :)

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  11. Thanks for sharing at the Be. You. TIful link party!

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  12. family photos are a challenge. I love this post. You do have a beautiful family Thank you for sharing your lovely blog at the Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop xo

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    1. Thank you, Katherine! I appreciate you visiting here!

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  13. I am certain this will help a lot of families! Thanks for sharing on the Thursday Blog Hop...I hope our family can get a beach picture this summer.

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  14. Awesome post and so TRUE! I am constantly bribery begging making funny faces throwing toys in the air to make both my babies laugh and begging mr p just a few more don't look like you hate this face! nightmare to get family photos. We just went to lanzarote and have not one family photo where someone wasn't' screaming running away or flipping me the bird yup that's the hubby. So challenging. Glad you got some stunning ones. Thank you so much for linking up to Share With Me linky and introducing me to your beautiful blog. #sharewithme

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    1. Your description of photo taking made me laugh! Thanks for visiting me! :)

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  15. These are adorable! We are usually that family trying to take a picture and all of a sudden a hurricane will come out of no where. Seriously its a struggle! And that stranger was right. Your family is absolutely adorable. Thanks so much for sharing!

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  16. I have not even attempted a family beach picture and now you've turned me away from it for good. I can barely get my son to smile or sit still long enough for a quick portrait session. I can only image how crazy it would be at the beach.Your pictures came out great though. You have a beautiful family!

    Thanks so much for sharing on Turn It Up Tuesday! We love having you! :)

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  17. Their smiles speak volumes-so sweet! I love the images you captured. My favorite is the last picture.

    We did an extended family photo shoot for my hubbies' family over five years ago, which meant working with his mom, the five kids, their spouses, and all the grandkids. What an incredible hassle that was, as most everyone complained about, well, most everything.

    However, the outtakes from that day are priceless. Once my daughter and I got the photos processed and on a CD to everyone, they decided it was a good thing that we "made" them show up and smile so they could have the amusing and nice ones.

    My takeaway lesson was this: Don't let the grumbling about "I never look good in pictures" or "How long is this going to take?" or the purposeful foolish faces keep you from taking group shots. If they aren't appreciated now, they will be appreciated later. :-)
    Found you via #LOBS.

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    1. So true! Sometimes the outtakes bring back the best memories :) Thanks for visiting me here!

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