So, we’ve established that I’m crazy, coo-coo coconuts, right? I have almost nothing left to hide. We’re going to take a look at what it’s REALLY like to photograph five little kids. Wearing multiple layers of elaborate costumes. In the snow. In below freezing weather. I was running on no sleep and I was torn between laughing and crying, because most of this shoot did not go well. However, laughing won, so please giggle with me as we go over the best bloopers from this photo shoot. (Can you call it a “photo shoot” when you’re only using a smart phone to take the pictures?)
“My concept is like a Victorian fantasy version of Elizabethan England. With a Valentine’s Day winter twist.” That’s what I told Jeff before we dressed the kids for this photo shoot. Heady stuff. The reality of that, however…Should I tell you how long it took us to bathe Annika and Oliver, curl Emma’s and Eliza’s hair, and to dress the kids in at least five layers of clothing, each? No, I don’t want to. Okay, it was over two hours. Plus, Emma just loves it when I style her hair. The screaming starts as soon as I touch it. Emma, if you’re reading this, someday, I’m sorry for embarrassing you. But this is Mommy’s revenge.
Honestly, one of the hardest parts is judging when it’s the right time to add Annika to the mix. All she wants to do is run!
Let’s try that again…
Okay…
Ready…
Set…
Nope!
Okay, so now she wants to be in the picture…
Seriously? Why.
Emma was annoyed with Eliza for not taking direction, but she didn’t really want to take direction, either.
Okay, so here are more fun moments with Annika. You might think that she’s upset because she face-plants in the snow. But, she actually loves the snow. She’s just mad that we prevent her from taking off.
She’s going to make a run for it!
Then, mean ol’ Dad catches her…
Seriously. So mean!
Look at that! I’m married to an athlete! I mean, the ability to capture your baby, set her back in frame, and then leap the heck out of the shot…Totally worthy of being an Olympic sport.
That went well.
In fact, that was so much fun that we’re going to do it again.
There he goes, again! Look at that agility! The speed! The grace!
Time to dispense some M&Ms. Oh, yes. We resort to bribery!
Hangry.
Some serious side-eye from Eliza…
Let’s look at that again, but up close. Yeah, she’s totally over it.
Poor little thing! I actually did feel bad, because it was bitterly cold. I couldn’t wear gloves while I took pictures, and the exposure to the freezing air was almost painful! It was a relief to call this shoot a “wrap”.
Despite all these bloopers, we still came away with some sweet pictures. If nothing else, the kids will have some great childhood stories. “Yeah, do you remember all those crazy photo sessions Mom made us do?” I’m just providing them with colorful anecdotes that they can share with their friends in college…They’ll thank me later…Right?
