Saturday, April 24, 2010

Family Photos


Why is it every time we set up for a family photo, the one I take of my husband and the boys turns out beautifully, everyone smiling. happy and lovingly close.  Then my husband, the photographer, groups the boys and me and has to shoot again with semi-acceptable results?  Can someone please explain this?

These photos were taken Easter 2005. My hair was dyed considerably lighter then. It's close to my normal color now with alot of help from my hairdresser! We were all alot younger, the boys were about to turn 17 and 16. The top shot is the only one saved and probably the only one taken. The next two are out of 4 taken, none of which is too great. My husband always says I'm the one who objects to how I look in the photos but, hey, I think I look fine. It's the two dunderheads...

27 comments:

Tanna said...

All I know is that you all make one beautiful family!!! Your boys are so very handsome with lovely parents!! We just needed a tripod and a timer to get the whole group!!

California Girl said...

Thanks Tanna. I am absolutely serious in my post, however. It drives me crazy! Scott and the boys can take a photo in one shot and it's great. With me, they fidget and make faces and aaarrgghh! I am married to a photographer for cryin' out loud! LOL

DJan said...

They look great in the top photo, you're right. Eyes closed, funny expressions, and they weren't even trying to do that. It's amazing what five years can do to a body, isn't it?

tony said...

Women are better photographers than Men?

Brian Miller said...

some handsome men you got there...i think they all look fabulous. smiles. have a wonderful saturday!

Deborah said...

I do see what you mean.....but despite that, it's fun to see pictures of you. To put a face to the stories, as it were.

Definitely must be frustrating. Reminds of my poor mother always trying to get the family to stand still and smile at the same time. We all hated it.

Just had a thought. They boys look really happy and relaxed when they're looking at YOU. It's not who they're with, it's who's in their field of vision......

California Girl said...

DJan: I don't even want to think about the five years...

Tony: No, they aren't better. I just can't figure out why the boys will give their Dad just what he wants and when it's for me...nada.

Brian: They are cute, aren't they? It goes fast Brian. Cherish yours now (I know you do).

California Girl said...

DEBORAH WINS THE PRIZE FOR BEST MOST THOUGHTFUL AND WISEST COMMENT!

Susan said...

Well, shoot! If I'd known there were going to be prizes I would have stayed home today!!! I was going to say EXACTLY what Deborah said! Cross my heart!

In that third pic, the boys look like they're trying to escape! :)

Baino said...

Nah the one bottom right is lovely, don't know what you're grumbling about! I do think it's funny that a photographer as stunningly clever as Cole can't do an equally stunning family portrait! Haha! Then I live with an electrician and have three broken lights!

Kate Hanley said...

Well I think it's a beautiful family. I can't take pictures of me and my kids, they always look fake or forced whereas my husband looks natural in them. Drives me nuts!

Tanna said...

LOL! I LOVE Deborah's comment and actually thought the same thing over the course of the day and came back to tell you that! LOL!

Nancy said...

It reminds me of when my daughters would always stick their tongues out at the last second. I don't know how many pictures of that image over the years!

I think you have a beautiful family!

California Girl said...

Sorry about that Susan and Tanna, Deborah beat you to it. I'm stickin' with all 3 of youse opinions.

Baino: "grumbling?", who's "grumbling"? I'm not "grumbling". I don't need no stinkin' "grumbling"...

Ah Kate, you're a woman after my own heart. Thanks sistah.

Nancy: when I was little, I would always close my eyes when anyone took a photo. The flash bulb was utilized in those days, the pop out in the flash holder bulb. I hated flashes and I'd close my eyes so most of my young photos, particularly all school photos, show me with my eyes squeezed shut.

Marguerite said...

I think that all of the pics are beautiful! Very good looking family! And the shots of you are fabulous! Your husband may be right about that!

California Girl said...

MARGUERITE WINS 2ND PRIZE!

WHO'S GOIN' FOR THIRD PLACE IN THE BEST MOST THOUGHTFUL WISEST COMMENHT CATEGORY, i.e, COMPLIMENT CALI GIRL?
hahahahahaha

Marion Williams-Bennett said...

What a beautiful family!

I understand this problem, but am usually asking this question around Christmas for the holiday card - there will be three good pics of my husband and daughter, but then none of me! Sometimes, I want to cut one out and just paste it in.

California Girl said...

Marion: Thank you for visiting and commenting and thinking we're "beautiful"! :)

I have thought about the cut and paste thing. In fact, as a follow up, I should take the floating head of myself which I cut from a photo a few years ago and tried pasting to an existing photo so I'd look great!
It didn't work. Looked so bad. But it might make an amusing post.

JC said...

Your family looks fab.
My son .. 17 ... can't take a good pic for his life.

Deborah said...

Ahaha!! Glad I came back to read your comment, and all the others - they made me laugh out loud. (That Susan, she's usually on the same page as me! :))

Thanks for the prize, Deb. You made my night!

Michael said...

Oh yes, I am so with you . "deunderheads" LOL. Great photos otherwise. Love to see you too. Lovely. :)

lettuce said...

how nice to see your face! you're lovely and so are your men

California Girl said...

Mmm: I think most parents will agree. Thank you!

Lettuce: OOOOOO YOU WIN 3RD PRIZE!
I think I'm gonna leave this up and never blog again. It's strokin' mah ego.

Ren- Lady Of The Arts said...

Haha this post makes me laugh-
I have two boys- younger than yours but I was hoping they would grow out of not taking good photos with their mama!!!
My boys always look so forced! I gave BIRTH to them- just smile, right!?

Jeannette StG said...

Wish my kids were so willing to do the smilee thing! What they mostly do is turn the last second or hold something in front of their face!
Great family pics

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

Fabulous photos. Your fireplace is gorgeous!

California Girl said...

Lady Ren: They are better about it now although the younger one has taken to "striking a pose" in the male model sense. His pose consists of setting his jaw and looking serious but masculine. It drives my husband cra-zee.

Jeanette: they will, some day. I promise.

Kristin: Thank you. It is no longer my home. We sold it in December after 12 years. If you'd like to see more, I posted photos on my blog of this home we so lovingly renovated: http://emptynestevolution.blogspot.com/2009/11/truly-empty-nest-part-1.html

there are more posts following with more photos. We are very proud of the house and I miss it tremendously.