We are having our Christmas card pictures taken tomorrow. Last year I wrote a post about how it’s so typical to have our photos taken and look back at them to discover that there isn’t one photo where everyone person is looking at the camera and smiling.
Then when it’s time to choose a photo for the card, you have to decide which family member is going to be making the “this is the worst experience of my life” face in the annual card.
And then, last year, I found one photo that captured our family’s personality perfectly. And then I brainstormed the perfect text to go with the Christmas season and to describe our family in 2012.
That’s when I came up with “Rarely calm. Always bright.”
I asked Nina if she could design our card and she brought the vision to life… all based around that “imperfect” photo.
The 2012 Christmas Card- Rarely Calm. Always Bright.
(back, front)
(inside)
This year, I’m a lot more relaxed. I’ve chosen our outfits. I talked to the photographer and I told her that I didn’t want any props, and I only wanted to go to a place where my kids could run and play and give genuine, happy smiles.
And I know that no matter what we see when we see the images, I know we’ll be able to choose one that completely personifies our family in this season of our lives. I haven’t brainstormed the text, I don’t have planned “poses” because there’s really no point. Our family won’t look like someone else’s family or their poses or their personalities.
I’m excited and pretty relaxed for tomorrow. Because I know that the photographer is going to capture my boys right where they are right now.
This is lovely. What a beautiful Christmas card and such a great message! I hope you have a marvelous time taking your pictures! Such a great way to celebrate the present. 🙂
I love love love your “rarely calm, always bright” would you mind if I borrowed that for our card? With 3 kids under the age of 6, our Christmas card shoot came out just comical! Good luck with yours!! 🙂
XOXO,
Paige
Erin, we are having our Christmas photos done this weekend as well! My biggest concern right now is the weather though – I think it’s only going to be in the low 50’s so I’m a little worried about having our 6 month old outside for the photos…Hopefully both of our photo sessions will go well. Can’t wait to see yours for this year! Last year’s were gorgeous!
Love this and your 2012 Christmas card! I totally agree about the “real” pictures being the best. When I look back on our wedding photos, I skip right past the stuffy posed portraits and linger forever on the candids. They’re genuine and so “us”, and by far the best ones!
Hi Erin! Aren’t Christmas cards the best! The Merry Mommas love them so much we have a blog about them – Your Merry Mailbox. We can’t wait to see what your 2013 card is like, we know it will be precious!
Hi Erin! Love your card! The Merry Mommas love all types of Christmas cards…we love them so much we even started a blog about them – Your Merry Mailbox! Can’t wait to see your 2013 card!
Love the description of each boy. Great idea!
I love your ideas for photos. Planning family photos stresses me out because I have no control over making my children look happy … eeek!
I loved this card too and totally agree. I always struggle with choosing between a perfectly planned nd co-ordinated card picture or choosing real life. This year our pic is totally real life! ha but i frame our picture each year as part of our Christmas decor and those will be the pictures that are the most fun to look back on!
Amen to this!!! Love these words!
Just read this post after our family photo shoot yesterday. Our usually happy two year old adamantly refused to have his picture taken, resulting in lots of bribery! Then our baby got tired and grumpy. It was probably one of my most stressful parenting moments ever! In the end we got some okay shots; I guess when we look back only we will know that the smiles are all fake! I think you have the right attitude: we put far too much pressure on ourselves to get the perfect picture and it is not worth it!