Christmas Card Portrait Day, AKA Mom's Self-Inflicted Stress Out Session

We're really late with our Christmas cards this year.  Part of it was because I didn't get our clothes made until a little over a week ago.  It wasn't because of Child #1, who has (thankfully) become an extremely cooperative little poser.  Which is why I have so many great shots of Eliza, and so many not-so-great shots of Child #3...

My sweet little whirlwind Hazel.  I didn't dare make everyone get dressed up until yesterday, when we had to get dressed up to go to church anyway.  Even so, it took quite a bit of wrestling to get Hazel (and Hyrum) dressed in their new Christmas clothes in preparation for the photo session and church.

Hazel. just. didn't. want. to. hold. still.  Can you tell?

 
 Here's my little headbanger, who ripped out the cute hairbows I made for her so she could swing her untamed mane around freely.

Yes, Hazel is a free spirit.

We tried squeaky toys, we tried coaxing, we even tried bribing her with chocolate.  Not a chance.  She wouldn't even take it! 

She WAS interested in the bright pink and yellow purse you see on the edge of this photo.  But since that was obviously not part of the color scheme and as such would have been the only thing anyone noticed in the picture, the purse was nixed by mean ol' mom (just for a few minutes!)

Meanwhile, Eliza very kindly posed for photo after photo.  She was pretty happy with her new skirt.  I used some dupioni silk that I had bought on clearance last year, when I thought I was going to need to make a formal gown for the occasional black tie affairs I had heard that  Steve and I would probably be attending due to his job in the DC area. 

Well, so far no black tie events for us, but the girls are sure enjoying twirling around in their fancy clothes.

Are ya dizzy yet?  I took no fewer than 50 shots of Hazel when she was dancing around, hoping that eventually she would slow down and I could get a non-blurry version of my little girl.  My camera doesn't have a wide enough aperature to get good, non-flash shots at a shutter speed that will arrest motion a little better.  I have absolutely no idea how parents got their children to hold still for portraits back in the early days of photography, when subjects would have to hold still for minutes rather than a fraction of a second.  Kudos to them!

Oh look - she stopped spinning long enough to pick up some pennies that had spilled out of her beloved pink and yellow purse.  Couldn't get her to look at me and smile, but I'll take what I can get. 

Eliza was finally able to convince Hazel to come and sit with her for a Cheese Session.  Hurray for big sisters!

Big sister was also able to work her influential magic on Hyrum for a couple of shots.  Poor Hyrum doesn't last very long in front of the camera before having a bit of a meltdown, so I was grateful for this shot, blurry though it is.  Hazel was supposed to be sitting down in front of them, but she would have nothing to do that.

Why sit down when you can spin?  It's so much more fun.

Hazel's dress is an adaptation of the little girl's sundress/romper tutorial that you can click on in my sidebar.  Since this silk was wider than quilting cotton, and since I discovered that dupioni silk doesn't bunch up as tightly as cotton does in the back where it is shirred, I added the pleats in the front to take up the extra fabric.  I'm really happy with the result - it has all the fancy looks of a fitted party dress, but it's still comfy to wear because of the elastic shirring in back.  I doubt I'd be able to convince Hazel to wear a traditional party dress with a zipper and fitted sleeves = too restrictive.

I made all the silk flowers that are on the girl's outfits as well, but I just pinned them on with little safety pins because I don't want them to get all messed up when the clothes are washed.

Because of all the fun getting the kids ready before church, and then I spent so much time trying to capture Hazel on film, we ran out of time to do any family shots before leaving for church.  After all we had gone through I was pretty bummed about that, since this is the picture I always like to use for our Christmas cards.  Everyone was a good sport after coming home from church and stayed dressed up long enough to get a few shots of the entire family together.  I used a tripod and a self timer, so I unfortunately didn't notice that poor Hyrum was stuck back there in the corner and our heads were all at the same level (a family portrait no-no) but hey - at least everyone is smiling! 

I hope everyone has a wonderful (and safe) New Year's Eve celebration!  Happy New Year!

  
  
 

Comments

[Katie Weber]

I love that first one of Eliza...she is so cute! And the ones of Hazel are sweet. As frustrating as it is, they reflect her personality so much that you can't help but smile. I think my fave of her is that second twirly one, where all that is still is her cute face and her red slippered foot. You did a great job and the dresses are beautiful! :0)

[Kathie]

Love em! And let me tell you as a professional photographer, while we as parents ALL LOVE the posed "perfect" cheesecake shots, the ones that will make you giggle, smile and have for a great 16th birthday blackmail *G* are the boingy twirly girly images.
I really enjoy your blog! Keep it up. You are inspiring me to get off my duff and just go on and post. I am such a slug...lol

[Joy]

I feel ya! Try getting a 2 month old to look at the camera...I can't believe chocolate didn't work. We still didn't get a family shot yet. I am hoping for the same thing you tried. We are going to wear our sunday christmas outfits in a few sundays and try for a shot then.

[Cindi]

Great job mom! I know everyone says this... but enjoy it while it lasts. Before too long they will be dealing with little ones of their own. Happy New Year!

[Edith Songer]

Those dresses are beautiful! And washable!? Wow!
My sister took family pictures of us way back in August and I still haven't done our family letter.
Blah.
In the end you'll love those pictures of your kids as they really are because it will bring back memories better than the ones where they all smiled together.

[Missy]

You have the cutest kids! I love the action shots! I can totally relate with my kids. You can see our Christmas card on my blog. I don't think any of them are even looking at the camera, but I loved the picture cause they were laughing and having fun. That's what I like to remember. It's not about the "perfect" picture it's about capturing the moment!

PS- Thanks so much for your comment on my new photography site. You know I've been stalking your blog for ages (I know, I need to comment more!) and I LOVE everything you do!