CAT | Family
This is a busy time of year for family photos. Photo sessions are on the minds of a handful of people in preparation for Christmas cards and gifts, but it’s always at the back of my mind that this group really isn’t much larger than that… a handful of people. Some say that they don’t need professional photos taken of them and their family because they have snapshots from all through the year to to commemorate this time in their life. I am totally guilty of the same thought! Then I look through my pictures and realize that I am not in any of those images because I’m the one holding the camera! It This is very very common in families. Someone has to take the picture, and usually it’s the same someone. Another common thing that we hear is…”I am just not photogenic”…or…”Pictures of me always look weird, and I can just do without…I know what I look like.” Don’t take this personally, but that’s actually kind of selfish. You are always going to be your toughest critic, and your family and friends love you, and the way you look. They want to remember you, why deny them of that privilege?
I came across this article written by a very talented photography duo, Rowell Photography that made me stand and applaud. I couldn’t say it better…so here’s what they had to say…
“Its Autumn and that means it is time for us to rant about the importance of family photography. Every year around this time of back to school and sweater weather we start getting phone calls like this:
Family: “Hello, I am inquiring about family photos, what are your rates?”
Rowell Photography: “Hello, thank you for calling us. When was the last time you had family photos taken?”
Family: “Ummm, not since I was young, so around 10-15 years ago.”
(Then the emergency family photography sirens and lights start going off at the Rowell Photography studio, and Ryan and I try our hardest to keep calm and not to panic the family, its important that we do what we can make the booking, this family is in desperate need.)
Rowell Photography: “Wow! that’s is quite sometime, sounds like you guys are overdue. Let’s check out some dates and packages.”
Family: “Yeah I guess we are in need of an updated family photo, at the very least for our parents. Let’s book before the snow starts to fall.”
This scene is all too typical, and quite frankly its sad. Having photographs that document pivotal moments in one’s life are essential, ie: weddings, engagements, anniversaries, baptisms, bar & bat mitzvahs. If you ever only celebrate 4 of these major milestones and hire a professional photographer for those 4 days in your life and you live to be 100 years old. On average you are photographed professionally every 25 years, and the worst part is that most of these milestones typically happen within the first 25-30 years of your life. So what happens when your great grandchildren start asking questions about who you were, what you looked like during the other 75 years of your life? the easy answer is to consider having updated family portraits every few years, and by “few” we mean 3-5 not 10-20. Many people worry about family photos being outdated – hanging on the walls of their parents houses, in giant tacky frames from a time back when you had braces and didn’t have a clue that the over sized hooded sweater you were wearing looked horrible on you. We can understand your pain, I have family photos like that too, but i just say to myself “at least I have them”. They are the little embarrassing windows into my past.
What I wish my professional photographer had told us then about how to prepare for our family photo session was: Don’t come wearing a ton of crazy patterns. My dad’s 1992 Weekend at Bernie’s revival look, paired up with my mom’s multi colored floral print dress and my sister and I with matching florescent pink and blue floral jump suits is enough to get us on to Awkwardfamily photos.com I wish our photographer had suggested a backdrop that wasn’t a fake blue sky and actually photographed us outside in front of the real thing. After the shoot the photographer convinced my parents to buy a really expensive 5 inch thick 16×20 tacky gold frame to house our tacky family photo in. Which I guess makes sense, go for it all or go home. That baby hung on the wall of our home for 15 years, and its our only professional family photo. Don’t get me wrong I love it because it is so who we were at that time, but I know that I only love it so much because its the only shoot we ever did as a family. I wish we had taken family photos every few years so I could forget about this one photo.
That’s my rant for this year on family photos. The lesson to be learned here is: Update your family portraits so you can be embarrassed for a shorter amount of time when your parents hang it on their walls for 3 years instead of 15.”
Amen and Amen. Thank you, Rowells for that encouragement to get off of our bums and have portraits taken!
If this article was convicting for you, act on it! There are tons of photographers in the area that can match your style, your price point, and your schedule.
This weekend we are offering mini sessions (only a couple of spots left!). It’s only $50 for a session…that’s less than most people spend on a normal trip to Target. What are you waiting for?
For more info on our Mini Sessions, check out our specials tab or email us at fantasmaimagery@gmail.com.
Thanks for listening to my rant. Photos have always been important to me, so it’s all easy for me to say, but taking advantage of the opportunity to have your family’s portraits taken is at least worth considering!
There isn’t anything more adorable than a baby…so how about two!? Talk about cuteness overload.
These boys weren’t really enthused by my presence but that didn’t make a difference. They are just too darn sweet.
Oh seriousness.
I love this. I’ll be honest, I had a really hard time telling these two apart because they look exactly alike! BUT take a look at this…they were both settling down to rest and both clasped their hands…just in different ways. Just another reminder that even identical twins have their own little personalities that are totally unique!
Love love love this picture.
Two adorable little boys. Two sweet little faces. Two blessed parents.
Thanks for hanging out with me, Paxtons! I can’t wait for you to see the rest!
The Simmons family is seriously fun. I know I say that all the time, but I really mean it. It’s a photo session like this that makes me realize that I can hardly call my job “work”.
How stinking cute is Grant!? He totally busted out the GQ poses.
Yowza.
I love boys.
Thank you guys for being so awesome. I know it’s a tough job, but you handle it flawlessly.
I just love this picture.
Stay tuned for much more, at some point I will be able to escape from the pile of work that has buried me!
Amidst a mile high pile of work, I had the privilege of hanging out with the Riffes. Talk about a fun family!! It’s so refreshing to see a family who overflow with joy, they just really really love being around each other. Blessings abound! Here’s just a little peek at my afternoon with them…
Sizzlin
Whitney brought her boyfriend along for some pics, they’re too cute.
Thanks for playing with me, Riffe family!
There just aren’t words to describe how incredible my parents are…but I’ll give it a shot.
Have you ever been around a couple who absolutely radiate with love for each other? That’s my folks. You could see them from 10 miles away and know that they live for each other. As long as I can remember, they have been that way. They have been married for 27 years, and you would think that they just started dating. They still get that googly eyed look when they see each other. They still mouth “I love you” to each other from across the room. They still want to be with each other every moment of their day and miss one another when they are apart. Talk about amazing role models.
Not only have they been an amazing example of a God glorifying marriage, they have been spectacular parents. Mom stayed at home with us three girls and home schooled us all the way through, while Dad worked his tail off to provide for us. They taught us to be self sufficient, to treat others with respect, to be confident in ourselves, to serve one another, and that no matter what, they would always love us and each other. Mom always rallied us to make sure that the house was picked up so that when Dad walked through the door at the end of a long day, he would walk into a home rather than a hurricane. Mom would always clean herself up for him at the end of the day too. She would wipe the exhaustion away and make every attempt to be refreshed for him. What a servant. Every morning we saw that they would spend an hour or so drinking coffee together, then mom would make breakfast for Dad and send him on his way. Then mom would always spend time in the Word. Again, what an amazing example to set. They still have that same routine to this day. They serve each other unconditionally as if to themselves. Seriously, these people are amazing.
Look at the joy on their faces! No wonder people gravitate toward them!
Today is my dad’s 50th birthday. We have the privilege to celebrate a man who has always served us, always respected us, always cared for us in every way, and has always always taught us that even though he loves us with every fiber of his being, it’s not even close to the love of our Heavenly Father. (Boy, am I glad that I get to type this and don’t have to say it out loud…tears!)
This man took us on Daddy dates on a regular basis. He hugged us when he saw us and never left the house without saying “I love you”. As a dad of thee girls, he did a fantastic job teaching us that we deserve men who will always love and serve us. He also showed us how a husband should treat his wife. That has been an invaluable lesson, as my older sister and I have been blessed with finding husbands who have carried on Dad’s example. He has served, provided, and entertained us with an enormous amount of joy and humility. A better dad doesn’t exist in the world.
Oh, and did I mention that both of my parents are totally hot? Oh…I didn’t need to say that, did I? Your faces are being melted off just by looking at them…silly me.
Look at the grace and confidence with which Mom holds herself. Stunning. It takes guts to be a mom, particularly a stay at home mom! I’m learning this now, but Mom has always made it looks so easy. She has been able to teach and care for us girls and my dad, keep an impeccable house, do pretty much any artistic thing under the sun, cook up a storm, and look like a movie star in the process. She’s gorgeous, brilliant, crafty (in the good way), humble, witty, and all around spectacular. What a fox. 
Oh they’re so cute.
Mom and Dad, thank you from the bottom of my heart for being so wonderful. Thank you for the sacrifices that you made for us, for teaching us what to live for, for loving us, and for loving each other.
If we can be half as successful in marriage and parenthood as you are, our kids will be seriously blessed.
Now, as an adult, I’m proud to say that not only are you the best parents anyone could ask for, you’re two of my best friends. I love you both!!
I enjoyed spending a brisk, windy Saturday morning with the Evans family. You may recognize lovely Erin from the Goddess photo shoot we did a few months ago. We had so much fun, I just couldn’t wait to get to capture a few moments with her family. It goes without saying that this is one special family.
Now these are some pretty spectacular kids. Not only are the incredibly cute, but they are seriously best friends. I nearly cried when I saw these next ones…I hope that my kids can be as close as these two!!
They think their brother is the best!
And yet another couple who very clearly love to live for each other. I love it when that sweet adoration comes through without a word.
Does it get more fun than that? I don’t think so.
Thanks for playing with me, Evans family!! You’re so stinking cute!
What a little darling! She was born into the lives of our friends, Nathan and Rachel Bergen. Blessings abound for this new family, with such sweet little girl.
She was so snuggled up, she didn’t want to unroll herself, or wake up for that matter. We were totally fine with that! She was absolutely perfect for us.
Gotta love those teeny tiny baby features.
Talk about proud parents, too.
I love these two. So much joy!
Talk about a glow, from two proud parents. Absolutely stunning.
Thank you guys so much for letting me spend some time with you and your precious Elizabeth!
Let the Bergens know what you think of their pictures, here on the blog. With 15 comments, they will get a free 8×10!
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Yet another reason I love my job…there are some families that adopt you into their family as soon as you set foot in their door. The Kerns are one of them. We shot Kim and John’s wedding almost 5 years ago…has it really been that long!? Now, here we are taking photos of their entire family, including their adorable 3 year old little boy!
Feel the love, folks!
Kara is John’s sister, I can’t even believe how fabulous she is.
You think that couple is cute? Check out their adorable kiddos!
And of course, the spectacular Nana and Papa of this family. Man, what a good looking bunch.
Thank you, Kern family for hanging out with us! You are all too pretty to look at!
If you want to the Kerns out, 15 comments on this blog post will win them a free 8×10!
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As promised, here’s some of session number two with Joel and Mackenzie! These guys are way too easy to take pictures of. This session was particularly fun, the lighting was dreamy. I especially like the little buggies floating around in the light from the setting sun, call me crazy, but it kind of adds to the fairytale-ness of it all.
Love love love this next one.
Ok, these two melt my heart. You wanna know why? This is one Daddy who glows when he looks at his baby girl. The first one is a picture of a protective Daddy…”lay back in my lap and I’ll take care of you forever…”…oh sweetness. The second one…I kid you not, he was looking at Kenzie running around in the yard. Not a word was said, he just looked at her…behold the glow of a proud papa.
Thank you guys once more for being our friends, and spectacular models. Again, you make it all too easy on us.
And here we go again…if Joel gets 15 or more comments on this blog post, he will get a free 8×10!
Let us know what you think and help crank out the free stuff!