It’s that time of year again. Where houses are filled with crackling fires, hot cocoa, colored lights, and empty threats about Santa not bringing presents. Which also means – it’s time for Christmas cards. And that means getting a photo for said cards. Which, when you’re trying to capture holiday joy on the faces of small children, often requires patience. And bribery. And wine.
I’ve been perusing holiday photos from all our friends who don’t have kids (yet – muahaha), and realizing how relaxing different that must be. Husband, wife, outfit changes because not only do you own more than one Christmas-appropriate ensemble, but you can change without tiny people throwing the door open and revealing your business to the photographer. The Nerd and I never had that chance. Our first Christmas together I was pregnant with Punkin and puking. A lot. No idea why that never shows up on a Christmas card. And obviously every year after that, there was a kid in tow.
Side note: sarcasm aside, I LOVE our Christmas cards. The Nerd, and our amazing photographer friend whom I shall lovingly refer to as Audrey Hepburn because she’s classically beautiful and looks amazing in everything and if she weren’t so nice you’d want to hate her, take amazing photos of my children. The candid shots always capture the sheer joy of Christmas during childhood, and make me forget that Smush pooped on the rug that morning.
Anyway. Christmas photo shoots with kids look very, very different. Kind of like this:
Confessions of a Mediocre Mom 
Bribes, lots of bribes. It’s amazing how just trying to get one shot can be such torture! Now I’ve learned the secret. Other people say the secret is Photoshop. I say it’s black and white. The clothes don’t have to match. We do the pictures outside. And I put the camera on continuous shoot. I usually manage to get something. And those bribes? My kids do it all for ONE piece of candy. š Ha ha ha! It’s still a pain though. Great post.
I totally agree! My husband and my photographer friend are great at outdoor, candid shots. We fire away, cross our fingers, and have cookies at the end. š