We needed some quick, last-minute family photos for a trip we’re taking next week and my friend, Brigitte came to the rescue. Bridgy just opened a studio in the Cache Valley Mall called, “Smiles” (You all should go have her photos snapped by her. I love her stuff. If there is a pretty photo of me on this site the chances are dang good that she took it.)
It was not an easy photo shoot. We had a 1-year-old, 2 frazzled, hurried parents and 2 tween/teens that were NOT in the best moods that day. It’s a good thing Bridgy is such a pro at what she does. Even with her being a pro we had plenty of photos in “THE REJECT” pile:
Jonathan and I have just made peace with the fact that he looks like he’s posing for “American Gothic” in most of the photos he takes. (I also like to joke that in some of them he looks like just yelled out “KNEEL BEFORE ZOD!” but he doesn’t find this NEARLY as amusing as I do.)
I think it is a natural law that one child in the photo MUST LOOK LIKE THEY HAVE JUST BEEN TOLD THAT CHRISTMAS IS CANCELLED AND THAT THERE ARE NO SUCH THINGS AS UNICORNS!!!!
(By the way…unicorns TOTALLY exist, yo.)
(Just so you know.)
And we DID tell them that their privilege of going into the “Hurricane Simulator” at the mall was taken away because they would.not.stop.bickering.about.it. So, I’m surprised they actually look as pleasant as they do.
At least in this one Butterlump is pulling out his inner “diva” to counteract that blue raincloud of “MEH” on his right.
And don’t even get me STARTED on the “eyes closed /looking weirdly off in the distance”.
Seriously, WHAT IS UP, FAMILY!?
Oh…wait…er…maybe they aren’t the ONLY ones with the issues…ehem…
(MAN…I look like I have been totally binging on weed brownies*.) 
Happily, there were plenty of photos that were great and I’m happy to include them in the “Choate Family Album”.
At the end of the day, we all survived and EVEN managed to look like we might just like each other a little bit!
And honestly?
Isn’t that what family is often all about anyway?
:P
* DISCLAIMER: I was totally kidding about the weed brownie.
**For reals.
***I’ve never even SEEN a weed brownie.
****Seriously, when I was in high school I spent my randy, partying Saturday nights with my BFF Susie in her basement doing lame photo shoots with me made up like Christine Daae in Phantom of the Opera or slow dancing in the dark with pillows sprayed with our boyfriend’s cologne.
*****Yes, I KNOW I WAS A TOTAL LOSER DORK, BUT I WAS A SOBER, NON-WEED-BROWNIE-EATING-LOSER-DORK!
******For all I know, weed brownies don’t even really exist and are the figment of imagination from people hallucinating on PCP and shrooms.
*******DISCLAIMER’S DISCLAIMER: NOT THAT I HAVE EVER SEEN OR USED THOSE EITHER!
******** BECAUSE I ABSOLUTELY HAVE NOT! PINKY SWEAR N’ STUFF!!!!!
*********HAVE YOU EVER FELT LIKE YOU NEED A DISCLAIMER FOR A DISCLAIMER’S DISCLAIMER?!
**********I RECOMMEND THAT IF YOU DO NEED A DISCLAIMER FOR YOUR DISCLAIMER’S DISCLAIMER, YOU TYPE IT IN ALL CAPS AS IT WILL PUT FURTHER EMPHASIS ON YOUR WORDS!!!!! AND!!! USE MANY EXCLAMATION POINTS!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND DO NOT FORGET THE ITALICS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
***********Seriously, I don’t do drugs, it was just me being funny.
************I am ashamed of myself for even kidding about it.
*************Ok, not really, but I can TOTALLY PRETEND THAT I AM FULL OF SHAME JUST FOR YOU PEOPLE WITH YOUR KNICKERS IN THE HAPPY FUN KNOT OF CONDEMNATION!!!!
**************I think it’s best if I just end this, blush, smile and offer you all a peace offering.
***************Brownie, anyone???
****************(Hee, hee, hee.)
:)
I’m so in love with the family photo where butterlump’s letting his inner light shine. Now that’s how to take a photo.
And wanna know a secret?
Once upon a time, in the wilds of Amsterdam, while on vacation from studying abroad, my best friend and I purchased and split a “magical muffin” which isn’t quite a brownie, but I think is close enough.
And wanna know what happened?
Absolutely nothing. Nothing at all. Except it was so dry I had to drink three bottle of Sprite, each of which cost 6 Euros. Which is a freaking fortune on Sprite. But you’d understand if you saw the size of their bottles, which were glass and must have held about 1 1/2 ounces.
Whew, glad to have gotten that off my chest.
Except now I can feel you all judging me.
Stop judging me!
I’m not usually so carefree with money.
I love, love, love this series. Even if some of them could be featured on Awkward Family Photos. And I mean that in a totally good way. Honest. Hey! Look! Brownies!
Our “good” family photos don’t come close to your rejected ones. I’m very jealous.
Beautiful family love!
I love them! They look like you had a good time – even if you didn’t. Even though you may have come close to committing familycide.
I sympathize with you, last nov. I got pics done of 2 kids together.. my 2… took 45 agonizing minutes to get 2 that worked – 2!!! There were threats made, faces pulled, one bout of extreme drama and over a hundred shots taken.
I don’t know who was more happy when the whole thing was done, me, the kids or the cameraman. *sigh* all I wanted was smiles – in the same direction… *sigh*
I feel for school picture camera people…
M
You guys are such a good looking crew!
And you crack me up with your disclaimers!!!
Family photos…….hhhmmmmmm…. Whenever we have a family photo (though I have yet to see the ones from two weeks ago), my dear daughter goes cross-eyed!!! And she’s 16!!!!! Well, not in all of them. I would like to get photos taken of us, but then think, nah, cos I’d be in them ;)
I have a gorgeous photo of my nieces and nephews (6,4,2 and 4 mths) which is the work of my brother. The 3yo boy was in a foul mood and wouldn’t sit still or in the shot until my brother whispered in his ear “sit down and smile for the camera and then we can get out of here” It worked a treat. You wouldn’t know there had been major drama beforehand.
Our family photos usually turn out ok due to Hubby and Kiddo being extremely photogenic. The last family photo session resulted in my sister/BIL leaving after a huge argument caused by Hubby. I walked out with Kiddo & left Hubby there for over an hour; I was so angry. All over something very small & childish!
I’m quite sure that Photoshop was invented by someone with a large family, including at least 2 preteens. I think the only way to get anyone over 9 to smile is to dangle an iPhone in their face. Or shout out an obscenity. That gets everyone giggling.
You need to hire me. Meh.
Funny, I just blogged about our family unicorn…
I think all of these are so awesome. The best photos are the ones where you can see personalities, really. All four of your boys are SO handsome, and you look like a ray of sunlight amidst the testosterone.
:)
I personally have an affinity for outtakes. ;)
The baby’s sock is coming off in one of the pictures. That’s totally an invitation for me to come over and munch on his toes, right? There is nothing yummier than baby toes.
(In a non-edible, make-a-baby-laugh way. Disclaimer! I’m not a baby-eater!)
Love the pictures! :) My family never had professional photos taken together, but we’d always do family photos at Thanksgiving, NYE, etc. The way we always do it is that there are several nice, smiling pictures taken first, then the rest are “make a crazy face” ones. Those are totally my favourites. Everyone looks insane but so happy, so I tend to print out/frame those ones more often. :)
Can I just say that I laughed out loud when I read “kneel before Zod?” Hilarious! Love the pictures, even the non-keepers. Your family is adorable. Love y’all!
Gorgeous pictures! I loved the last one the most. And you had me in stitches with all your disclaimers, LMAO!
Those are some great family photos! Your kids are just adorable. I only have girls so seeing your boys is a treat. And I totally understand all your disclaimers. I swear people look at me like I am from outer space when I tell them I haven’t ever done any illegal drugs, not even weed. Even my father thought I was lying! So from one geeky grown up teenager to another WE RULE!
******************************* !!!!!!!!!!! Wait, where was I????
Oh yeah, great pics! Because they prove to me that in this day and age one actually CAN get their entire family in one location in time and space at the same time.
Do you know how much your disclaimers make me want to gift you with a pot brownie, just in case you want to be able to say you saw one, and they are real, and yeah. Except I would NEVER RISK that – my baking skills suck.
I really like your blog! I’m a new author and have enjoyed this new experience. I find that it’s the most difficult and most rewarding. I’m also a graphic designer and love having that creative outlet as well.
Thanks for your post! I will be back for more updates. :-)
Melissa Nielsen
frommysomewhatseriousmind.blogspot.com
http://www.printhis.biz
The 3rd one is the best. picture. ever.
Please hang that on a wall somewhere.
MMH! that baby is PRESH!! also, your East Coast Mormon Long-Waisted Factor V Doppleganger is de-lurking to tell you I love your lipstick shade and I need you to share the brand/shade!
LOL! Well, hello there, East Coast Mormon Long-waisted Factor V Doppelganger! Thanks for delurking!
I THINK it’s barely copper by Clinique but my other (mainstay) go-to shade is Bamboo Pink (also Clinique).
PREESH!! I am concerned that it looks so good on you because of your red hair and creamy complexion, while I am plain brunette with more of a ruddy complexion, and therefore may not be able to pull ‘em off, but I am DEF going to check ‘em out :)
have a wonderful trip!
I love your disclaimers. Your pics for being a “spur of the moment” thing look great!
Pics at our house go like this: I stress clothes for days, I finally get it all done and ready. Picture day comes and I decide last minute I hate mine. Find new shirt. Get everyone all dolled up (me and 2 daughters takes some time). Stress the entire way to pictures over everyone staying prestine…do to all my stress kids are angry and fussy and crying because I have been all stressed. Usually youngest won’t be agreeable with camera…walk away with MAYBE 1 good photo. We need a new family picture and due to above mentioned I am TOTALLY dreading it!
You are so pretty! And your kids are just darling … and hey, everyone spaces out and looks into the distance every so often or frowns when the shutter opens or closes their eyes at just the wrong time. That’s why digital ROCKS! I haven’t had a bad picture of me taken in 8 years (at least there’s no evidence of it!).
Thanks for posting the good and the bad, btw. Makes the rest of us look normal.
Your boys are so cute. The baby takes after you- animated and photogenic. ;-)
A weed brownie. Too funny!
I am going to get some family photos taken this summer. I am dreading it!
I think your photos turned out great. A family photo shoot is supposed to show your family being family. Those do. I love the one with 3 boys cropped close. Adorable.
Wasn’t it hash brownies or laxative brownies that kids made in high school?
It’s funny that in most of these you and the baby look like you’re just happy to be there! I know from experience mom and baby are usually both completely frazzled so I’m seriously impressed you pulled that off!!
You have a sweet family, I love the outtakes the best.
Mmmm, weed brownies…
Wait, what?
So let’s be clear about this: Have you, or have you not ever smoked “the pot”?! LOL
Awww, adorable.
AWWH!
I know what you mean, we’ve only ever gotten ONE family protrait session done…and let me tell you…yeah.
ANYWAYS, I’d like that brownie now, please.