I’ve mentioned a couple times or twenty that we’ve been trying to get together for a family picture this fall, and it’s been a little bit of a challenge. With our conflicting schedules and the unpredictable weather, we scheduled and canceled our family photo session several times.
This is a milestone year for our family for several reasons — our 25th wedding anniversary, a 21st birthday, and an 18th birthday, to name a few! Plus, it’s been 3 years since our last professional family picture. We were due.
We tried to schedule the photo session for a late afternoon right before sunset to take advantage of golden hour, but we finally had to settle for a morning. That means we had to get our three teenagers — who are used to sleeping in and starting their school days sometime around noon — out of bed and in the car by 8:45.
In their defense, they were quite agreeable when we told them that was how it was going to work, and they did get up and get ready (with a bit of prodding), but they weren’t exactly at their best… and that’s putting it mildly.
I also struggled to put outfits together. To have a really nice, pulled-together family photo, it’s best to have a color scheme and use layers and accessories to incorporate those colors into the various outfits so it looks cohesive without being matchy-matchy.
But we are all really plain dressers, and it’s more important that we look like ourselves. We usually end up with a very basic color scheme, and it works out okay… albeit not Pinterest-worthy, but I’m not really going for Pinterest-worthy. I just want to look put-together and happy.
Well, this year, a color scheme wasn’t coming together… and at the last minute, I decided to heck with it. I just let everyone pick what they wanted to wear.
With the encouragement of some of you, I decided it would be better if we all wore something we really like and feel good in, and when we look back at these pictures in 10 or 20 years, we look like ourselves and remember those outfits — instead of thinking, That’s what mom made me wear!
So with all that said, I wasn’t sure I was going to like how they turned, but Alison was a champ, and we powered through.
They aren’t perfect, but they’re us, and I’m happy with them.
As you can see, our outfits are a bit of a mish-mosh. The guys both wore khakis, and D wore a navy Nike hoodie. Paul wore a quarter zip pullover with a button-down underneath, pretty much his daily uniform.
C picked out a pink sweater she got from last year’s #NSale, and she wore it with her favorite Madewell skinny jeans and neutral ballet flats. R wore a stripe sweater she recently got from American Eagle with black skinnies and Converse.
As for me… I ended up wearing my new AllSaints leather moto in the oxblood brown over a grey sweater with my off-black Good American jeans.
We tried to get a few pictures of me alone, but for some reason, most of them turned out really awkward.
But I’m really happy with my outfit… mine might be the only one of the group that I love, but that’s the most important thing, isn’t it? Ha!
Actually, I think I should have worn a necklace, but it’s only noticeable to me in the pictures of me alone. It doesn’t jump out at me in the family pix, plus C was in a rush and forgot jewelry altogether, so at least we’re consistent.
Ahhh, well… Such is life.
I know, you all are going to tell me they look great. And they definitely will do for our holiday Christmas card. But I think I’ll wait until next summer and try for something I can frame for the wall — maybe at the beach. We’ve never done beach photos before.
This time of year in general is so busy and stressful, plus 2020 is in a league of its own, so I’m just glad we’ve got something. The best part is, I can get my holiday cards ordered right away and maybe get ahead of that game.
And hey, if nothing else, we couldn’t have asked for a prettier day… it was also quite comfortable. There was a nip in the air, but it was sunny and bright, and there was no wind to speak of. And I’m so happy there were some leaves left on the trees.
Hope you all have a great Friday! I’ll be back tomorrow with my Fall/Winter Coat Guide, so stay tuned for that!
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photos: Alison Cornell
I love it! Letting go of control is so feeing. Your eldest daughter is your twin, while the youngest looks like your husband. Your son is a mix. Everyone looks great!
Freeing, not feeling. Lol. 💕
These family pictures are PERFECT! I love how each outfit captures every family member’s personality & I personally think the color scheme worked out so well! The pink sweater is in the same color family of your Oxblood jacket & the blues & neutrals all compliment each other so nicely too. I think this one is most definitely worth an enlarged picture on the wall!
I love all these pictures! Everyone looks happy and at ease. And even Savannah was looking at the camera! Any of these are frame worthy. I especially like the one of you all walking towards the camera. I like the other suggestions of framing one of these and then taking a beach photo, too. Nancy had a good idea about one for every season.
Beautiful picture! It’s nice that you are all not matchy matchy and show your own unique style.
Great photos! I love the first one, lit from behind, everyone has a glow! How did you get Savannah to pose so properly?? 😍. They all cooperated with sincere smiles ( I was going to say “lovely” but I didn’t think the 2 men would appreciate that!!
These pictures ARE great! And I love Nancy’s comment about frame it and take a victory lap- for sure!
These are wonderful! You look like a very cool mom.
You all look great and like yourselves and you will be happy about that for sure. I think family photos are stressful. Glad you made it happen.
Keepers! Frame-worthy….and the shot of you all walking is my fave.
Beautiful family, Jo-Lynne and thank you for sharing them with us 💗
I agree with those that suggested letting your children wear what they are comfortable in and what really represents who they are now. I think the pictures look great and even Ms. Savannah is perfectly posed. The photo session was all about her, right😉! And there’s nothing wrong with your solo pictures!
Oh my gosh! I love your family pics! They’re so “unposed” if that makes sense. You all look like you were just out for a nice family outing, just hanging out.
Love the pictures. The one with your daughter in the pink in the middle is great!!
JO Lynne , I loved your family pictures. And considering everyone had to get up early and get out the door the smiles and happy faces were abundant. Beautiful family and thanks for sharing with us. I always had trouble getting my 2 boys and husband in a picture It didn’t happen very often. I hope you enjoy your weekend with your parents. Have a great weekend.