Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Family Picture Time

I mean family "torture" time...yes it is that time of year again.  We are those people that take them every year.  I love photography and if I had the time and money I would take it more seriously but for now I just make my family put up with my photo sessions.  I think it's important to document every year.  It's fun to see how we have changed and besides our adoption website needs an updated photo.
So it starts with me trying to figure out what we are all going to wear.  Should we go casual, should we dress up.  How should I do my hair...how should I do the girls hair... Aric hates formal indoor studio shots so it has to be outside.  He also doesn't like getting dressed up.  He really has too much too say about this doesn't he....
This year I decided to compromise with him.  We get dressed up and do a casual outside shot.
I was going to just set up my tripod and use the timer but my friend Ashley volunteered to come along and push the button.  So I would pose everyone and have her be where I would be, then we would swap places and she would take the picture.  It was a circus.  Her six year old was trying to keep her 18 month old from running into the lake and my girls were dying because they just wanted to play with their buddies instead of take pictures.  On top of this we had very little time  because the sun was going down....
Here is what we got. 
The Good.
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The Bad.
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The Ugly.
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The Funny.
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The work it takes to get these pictures done is insane!  Poor Ashley did the best she could at trying to figure out what I was envisioning.  It is so much easier for me to be the photographer and not the subject.  Even though I'm not in love with any of these, there are definitely some good shots.  I've still got some photoshopping to do, and I decided this one would work for the adoption website...
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And just for fun these are some family photos from the past...
2007
Family Pics 055

2006
Albrechts

2005
family pic2005

2004
family pic2004

2003
family pic2003p

2002
family pic2002p

2001
family pic2001

2000
family pic2000

1999
family pic1999

So now you can see where we started.  And that is exactly why I do this family picture thing EVERY year.  Time goes by so fast and it's impossible to rely on our memory to keep track of how much we change.  When I look at these pictures it triggers my memory and I remember things that were going on at that particular time.  In that last picture we were celebrating Christmas early because Aric was leaving to start training for his job.  I was pregnant and didn't even know it! 
So if you haven't taken a family picture recently...go and do it!  I know it feels like torture but you'll be glad you did. 
Family Pics 040

16 comments:

The Hansen Clan said...

I love the photos! It really sums up the whole process doesn't it. Thanks for sharing all the past ones... it makes me committed to fight Kyle and get another one taken this year. It's amazing how everyone changes from year to year. You have a beautiful family and I was so glad I could be part of the process. I was also glad that Brooke didn't fall in the lake. Katelyn is still bitter that there was no play time with the girls and that they didn't get to climb around like monkeys on the life-guard chairs. Maybe next time!

The Hansen Clan said...

By the way, I love the one that looks like you are strangling Eden - CLASSIC!

Anonymous said...

It was good to catch up on your blog. I was just thinking today that we need new family pics. That post confirmed my thoughts. Also, I am glad that you had fun in Utah. I think that we were at the Gateway on the same day. Isn't that strange? So close.

Lindsey said...

I LOVED this post!!! It was so fun to see all of your old pix. I have a hilarious one with Abby as a baby. I must admit, I am trying to avoid it this year because of my belly.. and stress.. I wish I could find someone who would do it for FREE!!! :)

Melissa-Mc said...

It was definitely worth the torture, because those pictures are SOOO cute. You look beautiful and I love you hair.

Lauren in GA said...

You look so, so, beautiful!!!! Even the ones that you said were ugly look great even if everybody wasn't looking at the camera. I loved the pics from the past so much, too! You are a gorgeous family :)

Erin said...

They look great!!! Hard to take a bad picture with such a beautiful family though.

Here's that link...and I'm emailing you today. :)

http://www.robertandsharon.com/ldsfs/ldsfs-pics.htm

AMY said...

I feel like I know where you're coming from. Oh, wait. I was in Ashley's place last year. Yep. I know exactly where you're coming from. They turned out great!

♥Shally said...

I love family picture out-takes!

I have often considered using the out-takes as the photo for Christmas cards--they have so much more personality!

calibosmom said...

So cute! I love all the pictures!!! I have to do this. We haven't had a good family pic in a couple of years.

Bridget said...

Those pictures are great! And you're right, family picture time IS family torture time. Looks like you got some great ones though.

Lauren in GA said...

I forgot to tell you that I love the girls' faces when you are kissing in that one picture.

Ilene said...

Very cute!

I need to do more family pictures. We just got the kids' photos taken but I refused to get me in the shots because my hair is gross and I have post-pregnancy belly.

I don't want to capture those memories on film... at least pay for them with a professional photographer.

Gosh, I'm vain.

Ryan said...

AWESOME ... I finally found a new desktop wallpaper. I like the ones where Aric is barefoot the best - such a sensual guy.

Alison said...

Your family is sooo photogenic. I love that you have had a family picture every year. I think having kids helps that to happen. Last year's picture, Jack is only 2 months old. Guess it is time for an update. Thanks for sharing :)

Meghann said...

What in the heck are you doing to Eden in that first "ugly" picture?

Oh my heavens, this post was hilarious. You make me laugh!

I think that the one you chose for the adoption site is beautiful!!! I'm glad the photo process was somewhat of a fiasco because it made for an awsome post. (Except for the fact that you now made me feel like the worst mother for not taking a family picture each year!)