Family Photos

 We really only had one weekend to squeeze in a family photo shoot if I wanted to get Christmas cards ordered and in the mail by Thanksgiving weekend. The next option was a couple of weekends away and the weather in October in the Midwest is never guaranteed so we made it work. I played around with outfits and really ended up loving the light blue, navy blue, burgundy and grape palette. It's not one you see very often! My favorite outfit was the combo Liesel wore and she just thought it was weird. 

This is my favorite photo! Constantly re-arranging ourselves in a bunch gets old and I saw this concept on Pinterest and outright stole it. Have parents and kids a bit separated was a refreshing take.

This one turned out... okay I guess. 

None of the bridge photos worked. Some of us were in shadow and we were so small you really can't see our faces. It was a nice idea in theory.

Every year we have a massive melt-down during family photos. Brent is always inordinately grumpy (which is odd since he didn't have to coordinate the outfits or do anyone's hair or find stolen mascara to get ready for it!). The girls are masters at bickering- especially in tense situations. I lose it after the millionth whiney comment or someone who won't smile and is ruining everything and it just devolves into misery from there. This year I had a brilliant idea: what if the melt-down photo WAS the one money shot? 

We started with Ireland adjusting the camera and yes, she was legit crying. Brent was trying to place Sydney closer to the waterfall and she was fussing because she was afraid of falling in. He was telling her to calm down and I had lost it and told him never in the history of ever does it work to tell a girl to calm down. Liesel was looking adorable there on the top of the bridge but Gita wanted her turn and was screaming at her to get down. Yes I had planned to take a melt-down photo, but man alive this is a photo of a true Wuehler family melt-down. 

I did also get a cute photo of Liesel at the top of the bridge.

Gita even got one too!

That quilt I ruined came in handy because I didn't care if it got dirty or wet and it kept Sydney warm there in the end!

This walking shot was actually a challenge to set up as everyone was sick of the photo session by this time. I think we got it though and it's another favorite! We aren't happy so much as relieved it was over.

I had to request Minted to recreate a card that had been done in portrait mode be recreated in landscape but it was so, So, SO worth it! This is my favorite Christmas card to date - I don't know if we will ever be able to top it. 

Mission: Accomplished!