Monday, May 11, 2009

Is it too much to ask for?

My long time readers know that I have been on a mission to get a "frameable" photo of the kids and I for months. The last photo I printed out, of us together, was of our feet. Heh.

I thought for sure we could manage a decent photo standing in front of the Eiffel tower last summer. I dressed everyone in matching colors, fed them a decent breakfast, and while in the city of lights and croissants I had already envisioned where the photo would hang in my house in the city that rocks. My dreams were shattered when I whizzed past the Arc de Triomphe in an ambulance. Paris is over rated anyways, no?

I know. I know. The best photos are those not posed and natural. I've heard it all before. But I'm not getting any younger here and the clock keeps ticking away and I still want that amazing photograph of me and the three kids (the kids that I lovingly gained 180 pounds in 5 years for by inhaling burritos eating healthy) before I get another wrinkle/grey hair.




I've decided I want just a camera tripod and maybe a Tiffany's key necklace and a proper Spa massage and another bottle of Creed Spring parfum for my birthday in July.

That's all. And maybe one of those fancy wireless automatic clickers so I don't have to race back and forth to my camera. What are those called?

51classy comments:

just jamie said...

Ya'll are darling. No matter what. The end.

Ash said...

I think the Mother's Day post was deleted. I thought it was super cute! I love Burberry!

Chiloe said...

They are called :a husband !!! lol

What about a tripod in a blue box for your birthday?

Kari said...

A clicker thingy, I believe, is the correct terminology. Ha! I like the natural shots, too. But sometimes it's nice to have one that is posey-posey!

Jessica said...

You have such a beautiful family. One day you will get that perfect picture, and then you will be sad because the hunt is over and you won't have anymore blog inspiration :)

Tiffany @ Lattes And Life said...

I don't think I have any good photos of me and my kids either. I'm always looking weird, have my eyes closed, my mouth open...or the photo is taken on a day when my hair is nappy and I have no makeup on and stained clothes. Its the mommy curse, I tell you.

Indy said...

You all look so nice! I think these photos count. :)

Unknown said...

I think 'fancy wireless clicker' works just fine. Sometimes (just sometimes, mind you) getting more than one child to be properly posed at the same time is like herding kittens. I would suggest to you that you either a) take photos one and a time and learn PhotoShop or b) one at a time and just make a collage. Or you could just take what you get - they are, after all, just too cute anyway, so ANY picture is worth keeping.

tracey.becker1@gmail.com said...

I think a professional photo shoot would be a fabulous present. They know how to keep everyone happy, calm and focused.

Happy Mother's Day! You all still looked beautiful!

Liz said...

I don't know - I think these show you and your kids perfectly. You're a mom who does stuff with her kids. That's what they are going to remember, not the perfectly posed photos and matching outfits.

(new reader here - I linked to you yesterday)

GypsiAdventure said...

Oh how I love watching this - you are so diligent in your quest for the perfect photo. I will be ever so sad if you finally get your 'tripod' perfection. At least you have some really good 'un-perfect' photos of you and the kids! :)
~K

Unknown said...

Good Monday Morning! Just spreading some belated Mother's Day cheer through the Blogoverse.

Beautiful pictures, hope you get the tripod so we can see all five of the OHfamily

Lynn C Mama to 3 said...

I was desperate for a photo of me with the kids too, and realized it will never happen. It is physically impossible for me and three kids to actually look decent (and by decent I mean eyes open, not picking noses, and looking in the general direction of the camera) at the same time.

Why not said...

You're looking for the perfect one, so you're trying hard...the thing is that you're very close...because to me those pictures already look great...but one person missing, so you almost got it!!

Loukia said...

Oh my goodness, you all look so gorgeous. I love the little Burberry dresses. And I so badly want that one awesome picture of my children and I, too. It's sooo hard to get. I would need a professional photographer following us around all day.

And OMG - your Paris story - loved reading it! I could totally picture myself being the same as you. By the way, on your long journey to the Tour Eiffer, you did capture some awesome pictures of your children!

Krystyn @ Really, Are You Serious? said...

Surely you've tried bribing with chocolate, right?

And, at least your kids would stand near you at the same time, I couldn't even get that (well, at least without a tantrum).

Melissa @ I Pick Pretty said...

You all look adorable - those matching dresses on your daughters are just precious - even if you haven't achieved that formal photo yet.

I am P said...

cute pics, are you gonna hang one?

Amy said...

I want this picture too. I'm in very few pictures with my kids because I'm the picture taker.

These are cute though!

Anonymous said...

Regardless, you all look SUPER cute! :-)

Stephanie said...

A remote? Hubby has one with all of his gear. They're fairly cheap. The only draw back to that is no one is at the camera to get the kiddos attention. We've tried that, too, back when we just had two kiddos. Sad thing is, we haven't even attempted to do a picture of all 5 of us that would be frameable. We got one at Easter, but Cupcake is looking up at me with her tongue hanging out or something silly, so it's no good either.

Hang in there, it'll happen!

Katie said...

This is where the price of a professional photographer with experience with kids becomes worth it. Even if you only do it once every 5-6 years (and most will photoshop together a few shots if need be). Worth EVERY PENNY

Heather said...

I would suggest a Manfroto tripod-I have one & I love it for when I take my own family photos. The timer function is nice if you can adjust the time. The thingie that you are thinking of is a remote trigger for your camera.

Zoeyjane said...

But. The. Matching. Dresses. AWWWW.

Blessings From Above said...

Perfect picture or not, you have a darling family! :)

Putting the FUN in DysFUNctional said...

One day your perfect picture will come!

Loukia said...

Um, clearly I meant to say Eiffel. Not Eiffer. heehee.

Chrissy said...

I think these pictures are perfect! Maybe not what you were looking for - but they look very real. I am really in no pictures with my son since my husband is camera illiterate. When he tries - it's usually a fuzzy closeup of an ear or chunk of head hair. Someday my son will say "mom...what mom...what did she look like - i just see daddy in pictures."

amanda said...

i love the pictures. and i enjoyed the vlog!! :0) i felt like a dork when i did mine awhile ago too.

Diva's Thoughts said...

Those are priceless photos right there!!!

Flea said...

A remote control, I think. And OMG! Fifi's chubby little legs from last year! TOO CUTE!

I hope you get your photo soon. Your kids are too darling for words.

Our favorite family photos are the ones of us in ragged clothes, standing in front of waterfalls and vistas after hiking to the top of some hill, or down a creek bed.

Flea said...

A remote control, I think. And OMG! Fifi's chubby little legs from last year! TOO CUTE!

I hope you get your photo soon. Your kids are too darling for words.

Our favorite family photos are the ones of us in ragged clothes, standing in front of waterfalls and vistas after hiking to the top of some hill, or down a creek bed.

Clare said...

it is so hard to get a good shot with the little ones!! i need some too, there are million with my cute husband. why is that?

Chelsea said...

At least you're not flashing in that classy dress. ;) And I love your haircut.

Half Gaelic, Half Garlic! said...

LOL....I know the feeling!

I love the outtakes....you all look fab in your coordinating outfits.....sooner or later, you are going to get THE shot you are looking for!!

I think you need a wireless shutter release.....they work really well in conjunction with a tripod....you will love it:)

Hope you had a Happy Mother's Day!

Lisa

CC said...

I gave my husband a tripod for Father's Day a few years ago. Target has some for $15. Seriously. Just do it!!!

Nan Patience said...

I enjoy candid, un-posed people pix. Those look pretty good. Would it help to zoom in a little?

A Crafty Mom said...

LOVE the outfits - I have that same dress for my little one. GORGEOUS. I know what you mean about wanting a good picture SO bad . . . I am in the same boat and some days I fear it will just never happen. I think you guys are getting close though - maybe *the* shot is coming for you one day soon :)

Quarantine Hobby said...

Oh, a tripod is a great idea!

And all of those shots are beautiful! Candid shots really are the best at the end of the day!

Ed said...

I've given up trying to get them all to look at the camera--I've settled for all in the frame.

Unknown said...

I think your list at the end will be easier to acquire than the "perfect" picture. ; ) Although I really like the first one! Happy belated Mother's Day!

the mama bird diaries said...

You all look so sweet even if you didn't get the perfect picture!

2 Little Irish Boys said...

I love the pictures==get a tripod then it can sit in the case like mine has since Christmas!!!

Cynthia said...

Well you all look fab in my book!

3 Peanuts said...

I know I always want that great one too. I'll come take yours and then you can come take ours:)

Marinka said...

I think that your "imperfect", unstaged photographs are perfect and so much more precious than a portrait! (and yay that you like Spring Flowers now! I do, too.)

Jill said...

I know what you mean about having a frame-able photo!! I long for the day we can take a good photo - where we're all looking in the camera. :)

Kim said...

I cannot even remember the last time I was in front of the camera.. I need to get on that.the grey hairs are landing quickly..

Colleen - Mommy Always Wins said...

I'd be willing to bet you can make one sweet photo collage with snippits of all of these "attempts". Include the feet, a close-up of the top photo of just you & the boy...could really be cute!

Anonymous said...

I gave up on getting photos of my three boys and I myself and ended up at a portrait studio a couple of weeks ago. And, they actually didn't turn out half bad! Love the matching Burberry's dresses on your daughters! Too cute!

Jaina said...

Remotes ;) You'll get one...and along the way you'll have a ton of stories captured in pictures to share :)

 

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