Way back in the day when we were parents to one child we had grand visions of getting their picture taken every month for their first year. I dreamed of looking at my hallway walls and seeing them grow up through pictures. About month four with Cayden I started to realize how stupid this was. For one thing by the time I got the pictures back and got them sent out to grandparents it was already time to get new pictures and they had already changed so much. Also, how many pictures really do I need around my house of my child in their first year? Twelve 8×10's hanging on the wall began to not excite me anymore!
Then child #2 arrived and I don't think he had a professional picture until he was about 6 months old. Then not another one until we had family pics at 12 months. It was fine and worked well this way.
During the waiting time for child #3 and child #4 our friend Bush developed his skills as a master photographer. He does most of our family pictures and we are blessed to have him in our lives.
Today Deacon's school did school group pictures. As I was walking in a friend of mine reminded me that the money for those pictures was due today. I told her that we don't do school pictures and she kinda stopped in her tracks. I then explained that when you have four kids those pictures will begin to cost a fortune. Then you throw in soccer pictures and football pictures and by the end of the year you've spent a fortune on pictures that really aren't even that good anyways! We decided last year when Cayden did football and started kindergarten that we will pass on these pictures. I'll get a class school picture each year and that's it.
What do you guys with four or more kids do about school pictures?
For us, why would I buy school pictures when Bush does stuff like this for us:
We won’t buy school pictures, either. I married my photographer. 😉
Last year was the first year we’ve not bought school pics. I DO buy a class photo each year, but that’s it.
AH! I love love love these!!! What great memories!
btw.. I LOVE these photos! Bush has taken family photos for us a couple of times, and we love them!!
Besides our crazy Christmas card this past year, we haven’t had “good” family photos taken in over a year and a half – we need to get some shot. I sure wish that we had Bush handy!
Maybe that would be another got excuse to come up to Austin?! 🙂
Jamie, I agree. Mr. Bush’s photos are amazing! I can tell you as my oldest daughter approaches her last year of high school, one of my biggest regrets is the money I’ve wasted on those awful school photos. They are never very good, and don’t portray the personalities of my girls. What’s worse is that the schools in Seattle now have school pictures in the fall and the spring with make-up dates for both. It seems almost like the schools are getting a kick-back. I love the recurring Super-Hero theme in your family photos!
Cute pictures! There is something in Amos’ eyes that reminds me of Ian. A watchfulness, I think … taking it all in. Sweet family you have there. 🙂
My family is with you on that! Years ago, my mother bought our school pictures each year as well, but always had them in frames that were hung behind a door she always left open! We much preferred the fun, every-day candid pictures anyway. Kids aren’t uptight, sitting on a stool! They’re fun, and love to play! Much better to remember them that way.
Great post! 🙂
I cannot even handle these pics. 🙂 Oh my heart. my fav is Amos and his chucks and Story and her belly. LOVE it!
Class picture only and I feel a bit guilty that I might have forgotten this year to order them???? Guess I will get the year book 😉
I’m totally with Emily. These pictures are outrageous. Deacon looks absolutely serious – like he just may go and fight the evil in this world with his Wolverine hand. Love it.
My sister is developing her photography skills, and I’ve already let her know she’s expected to take pictures – and take them often – when Russ & I have kids. She knows how to completely capture the randomness of life. I can’t stand the stoicism in school pictures. Lame. 🙂
Came back three times now to gawk at the cute kids and the awesomeness of these Super Hero Pics. 😉
I just had a conversation with my husband yesterday about the fact that our 9 month old baby has not had her picture taken. That is what happens when you are #5! I have a box full of pictures from all of my kids….obvioulsy I bought too many! I now just buy the smallest package of pictures and that is it!