the {one year} photos

Portrait photographers deserve the utmost respect.   Particularly kiddo portrait photographers.  At least the good ones do.

I don't know how they do it.

Get those kids to smile.  Get those kids to look 'normal.'  Get those kids to actually have fun while getting their photos taken without having a meltdown.  Keep those parents from having a meltdown.

Saturday morning I tried to get "good" photographs of my family, and while I love a challenge, might have been easier/better {albeit more expensive}to have just hired someone.  {I think I said this to Hubby about 100 times during the process.} 

I love photography and getting creative...but flowers and food are more my forte.

My one-year-old was nearly impossible to shoot.  Even with my sweet hubby there to corral him.  He just would not look at the camera.   He would look anywhere but at the camera.

There were a few moments that worked, though.  My favorites came when least expected, like on a dumpy storefront stoop, with mangy alley cats there to mesmerize the boy.

So the morning wasn't a total loss.  Here are some that half-way turned out -- or were just funny to me {like the face smooshing shot.}

I love this mural in our city - so I had to use it in some shots!

  

Rather than try endlessly to keep his shoes on, I let him go barefoot.  Gotta choose your battles.  Plus, we're in Kentucky.  {that joke never gets old, right?}

I didn't let the boy actually touch these cats, but the hubby did in order to try to distract the boy, which resulted in a major allergic reaction.   Sneezing, red eyes, the whole bit.  

My favorite!

Okay, so I look like a total dork here...but love the bright yellow gate, and do you spy the old claw-foot tub waaay down the alley?  So cool!

this camera was just a prop - I have no idea if it really works.

Sometimes, it is just easier to resort to your own backyard.

this pic looks like poor Cormac is being tortured.  epic fail!  

Ever tried to take your own family portraits?  Was it as difficult for you as it was for me?

Yet, in the end, a few treasures!

And Hubby saying, "Wasn't that fun?"  

and only sounding half-way sarcastic.

g