What We Wore – Family Pictures

I realized I didn’t ever post our Christmas cards on here or what we wore.
Better late than never, right?
I ordered them on etsy because Katy Girl Designs & Pen & Paint did a Christmas collab this year. Their shops are amazing on their own so together, they nailed it! I hope they collaborate again soon!
I found the card before I had the picture so I pretty much based our outfits off of their coloring which was grey, gold, and black.
Classic, I really could wear whatever.

I don’t claim to be a photographer, but I do love to share what I’ve learned from trial and error when it comes to getting cute pictures of my kids.
I did have a photographer share what to wear for pictures and I have shared some tips for taking pictures of your kids.

1. Have a plan.
Try not to over think it, but map it out a little bit. I knew we’d be taking them outside by the mountains. Think of surrounding colors. Luckily, I lost my sweater that I was planning on wearing, because it would have blended in with the brush and branches. It didn’t seem lucky at the moment though, it stressed me out.
Whether you have hired a photographer or are having a family member snap some pictures (we did), go on Pinterest and get some ideas of what you’d like them to look like. Hurry. Some of the best pictures we’ve taken have been the first ones. These were taken on a cold day. The kids didn’t last long, but in 35 minutes I got enough that I love!
2. Let the kids be kids, at least for a few minutes.
At this moment in my life, I’m loving the candid shots. Getting a genuine smile from a family of 5 is hard work. Sometimes they come after minutes of bribing, mom is sweating, and we are pretending there is a dog in the distance trying to get them to look over the photographer’s head.
I picked up some props from 3 Dotter’s Vintage that I thought my kids would enjoy. They loved this wagon. We don’t have a wagon at home and so this was new for them and kept them entertained. If you are going to stage a shoot, keep in mind the age of the kids. I almost picked up J-O-Y because I had seen a darling family hold it up. Jen (owner of 3 Dotter’s Vintage) was awesome and reminded me that that family had all teenagers. My 18 month old baby was just barely taller than the O and getting all 3 to hold the letters the right way, at the right time…..not the time for that yet. It would’ve defeated the purpose of getting candid shots.
3. Know your style.
There are so many fantastic picture taking tips and what to wear posts on Pinterest.
I love looking for inspiration, but when it gets to the point of feeling envious because I don’t love the way I look in pencil skirts with a perfect flowy blouse tucked in like other moms of young kids, I have to step back. When I know our family would look so out of place in bold, bright colors with a dead looking mountain behind us, I go back to what I know we’d feel comfortable in. Be yourselves in your pictures. Not everyone loves ruffles and frill like I do and I don’t know how to layer and mix patterns like other people do.
4. Take a picture with just you and your spouse/boyfriend/love.
Our engagement pictures were over 8 years ago. I love putting the hubs on the spot and getting him to blush.
5. Shake your booty.
Why do kids think that’s so hilarious? I don’t get it. Maybe it’s because they don’t think their mom can move that fast anymore. It gets my kids every time.

On me:
Sweater: H&M
Pants: Old Navy
Boots: Target

On the hubs:
Everything Old Navy

On the boy:
Old Navy & Gap

On the girls:
Old Navy, Gap, Freshly Picked, Swallows Return

Linking up here:

xo,