I was looking over Jeremy's work schedule on Friday to determine a good time to have the boys birthday/holiday pictures taken. I called to set up the dreaded appointment for December 18th and was told that they were only taking appointments for the next 2 weeks, but if I came in this weekend, there is some special promo going on. So like an idiot, I agreed to Saturday afternoon, even though I knew Jeremy was on call.
That night I selected the outfits from their closets. I decided to go casual because my boys don't really have "dress" clothes and I didn't have time to scour the mall for cute matching but not too matchy outfits. On Saturday about an hour before we were supposed to leave, Jeremy got called out but said that he'd meet us there. Even though we opted out of the family portrait this year, I really need an extra set of hands, eyes, and feet to help watch the boys while I pick out prints. I called Kelly for some moral support. She gave me great advice-take the stroller for Owen! I don't know if I would have thought about that in my moment of panic. After reassuring me that I'd be fine...she proceeded to tell me that she was glad it was not her. Apparently she would rather go through a root canal without pain meds than face the mayhem at the studio.
As we pulled up to Portrait Innovations, Jeremy was walking in the door!!! I was so excited that I wouldn't have to do this on my own. After hanging out in the waiting area with the rest of Lee's Summit, we were called in. The photographer didn't seem to know what to do with my squirmy little Owen. He doesn't sit still and is really too young to be told how to pose. Ben loves to get his picture taken and is quite the ham so of course he kept trying to get in Owen's shots too. Jeremy and I couldn't help but laugh at the two of them.
Once the session was over, it was time to pick out the poses and prints. This is when I tend to get overwhelmed. I can't decide on which shots to keep, what sizes and how many we need. Right before our pictures were loaded for viewing, Jeremy was called out again. UGH!!! I sat with a guy for what seemed like an eternity (between keeping an eye on Ben at the lego table and feeding Owen goldfish crackers) to narrow down my selection. There were a lot of cute pictures and some that just made me laugh. I made my selections and decided to have Jeremy go back to pick them up later. I couldn't wait around another thirty minutes in that place while they printed...I'm sure that I was getting a stress related rash.
As I was putting Ben's shoes back on to leave I told him that it's too bad that their birthdays aren't in July so that we could have the holiday pictures taken then too. He didn't agree. Apparently they need to be taken at Christmas. I wish he was as much of a stickler for my rules.
Back in Circulation on Owen 2008
That night I selected the outfits from their closets. I decided to go casual because my boys don't really have "dress" clothes and I didn't have time to scour the mall for cute matching but not too matchy outfits. On Saturday about an hour before we were supposed to leave, Jeremy got called out but said that he'd meet us there. Even though we opted out of the family portrait this year, I really need an extra set of hands, eyes, and feet to help watch the boys while I pick out prints. I called Kelly for some moral support. She gave me great advice-take the stroller for Owen! I don't know if I would have thought about that in my moment of panic. After reassuring me that I'd be fine...she proceeded to tell me that she was glad it was not her. Apparently she would rather go through a root canal without pain meds than face the mayhem at the studio.
As we pulled up to Portrait Innovations, Jeremy was walking in the door!!! I was so excited that I wouldn't have to do this on my own. After hanging out in the waiting area with the rest of Lee's Summit, we were called in. The photographer didn't seem to know what to do with my squirmy little Owen. He doesn't sit still and is really too young to be told how to pose. Ben loves to get his picture taken and is quite the ham so of course he kept trying to get in Owen's shots too. Jeremy and I couldn't help but laugh at the two of them.
Once the session was over, it was time to pick out the poses and prints. This is when I tend to get overwhelmed. I can't decide on which shots to keep, what sizes and how many we need. Right before our pictures were loaded for viewing, Jeremy was called out again. UGH!!! I sat with a guy for what seemed like an eternity (between keeping an eye on Ben at the lego table and feeding Owen goldfish crackers) to narrow down my selection. There were a lot of cute pictures and some that just made me laugh. I made my selections and decided to have Jeremy go back to pick them up later. I couldn't wait around another thirty minutes in that place while they printed...I'm sure that I was getting a stress related rash.
As I was putting Ben's shoes back on to leave I told him that it's too bad that their birthdays aren't in July so that we could have the holiday pictures taken then too. He didn't agree. Apparently they need to be taken at Christmas. I wish he was as much of a stickler for my rules.
While thumbing through the pictures last night, I was not entirely surprised that I didn't pick out the best of the available poses.I now have a whole package of this shot including 2 10X13s and a free calendar (which apparently was the promo that got me in so soon). I must have been distracted because Owen doesn't look all thrilled to be in this picture especially when compared to the next one. I wonder if I should brave the crowds and go back for reprints?
I must say, that the kids did wonderful before, during and after the pictures were taken. As usual they are at their best when I expect nothing but the worst. Ben was happy to play with the other kids and even shared his Goldfish crackers. Owen did great in the stroller. I held up my end by taking them to Culver's for a milk shake. Jeremy was even back in time to meet us there.
I must say, that the kids did wonderful before, during and after the pictures were taken. As usual they are at their best when I expect nothing but the worst. Ben was happy to play with the other kids and even shared his Goldfish crackers. Owen did great in the stroller. I held up my end by taking them to Culver's for a milk shake. Jeremy was even back in time to meet us there.On a completely different note, Owen's Beatles shirt has a little history to it. It was Ben's when he was that age and I sent him to daycare in it all the time. I must have missed a memo that one of those times was "picture day" until I received the proofs. At first I was mortified-I would have dressed him in a stuffy sweater or something had I only known! Turns out that now it's one of our all time favorites.
Ben Rocking the Beatles Shirt 2006
Back in Circulation on Owen 2008
1.) I LOVE the Beatles shirt!
ReplyDelete2.) The stress of portrait studios is what made me purchase and learn to use my own camera. :) I totally feel your pain!
I also love the "1" and "3" shirts. Did you order those from Chasing Fireflies? I've been tempted to order them!
1.) Thanks! We have it in 2 sizes because I hated that Ben outgrew it so quickly.
ReplyDelete2.) It has to be SO worth it. I always say that I won't do it again, but I seem to cave every year.
I DID get the shirts form Chasing Fireflies. They have the cutest things in their catalog...mostly for girls :(.
BTW I LOVE your blog. It makes me laugh every time.
You got some great pics!! I want them!!
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