Comments on: Send a present to Future You

By: How Are You Treating Your Future Self? – Living Intentionally

How Are You Treating Your Future Self? – Living Intentionally — Fri, 01 Dec 2017 16:33:49 +0000

[…] Vanderkam says in her post: […]

By: Amy S

Amy S — Thu, 31 Aug 2017 13:48:41 +0000

I am borrowing this trick the next time we have family photos because you are right – I HATE doing them, the kids are always brats, but when I get the photos I don’t remember that, I’m all gushy. Thanks!

By: Kristen | The Frugal Girl

Kristen | The Frugal Girl — Mon, 14 Aug 2017 16:25:07 +0000

I’d hazard a guess that there will be some GREAT photos from your session. Your photographer was great, and honestly, if you’re in a beautiful setting and you have a good photographer, pretty much anything can look great. Even kids who don’t sit still or who make faces.

Whenever I do family sessions, parents will often get so worried that nothing is going to turn out, and they get so stressed…but it’s always fine.

Now, if you’re in a studio setting, there’s a LOT more stress and a lot more difficulty getting good shots. But in your house or at a park, when you’re going for a more casual feel anyway, it’s way easier!

By: Shelley

Shelley — Tue, 25 Apr 2017 17:22:35 +0000

Bribery has usually worked for me for photos, but the approach that’s worked best for me, even though it’s a bit of a pain, is that we take them fairly often. A favorite local photographer does monthly “minis” where we are in and out in under 10 minutes at a low cost with 1, maybe 2 shots. I do that fairly regularly of just the kiddos, then we do family photos 1-2 times a year. We go so frequently that it allows for some not-so-great ones. There is always a gem at least once or twice a year so there’s less pressure with each individual session. Plus, the kids are super familiar with the photographer so each time is pretty easy – they are familiar with the routine.

With the family sessions, I figure, if I look good and I like how I dressed everyone, then they can look like goofballs/cry/hold toys/etc. and it’s just a great memory of what life was like at that time! 🙂

By: lauravanderkam

lauravanderkam — Tue, 25 Apr 2017 16:41:48 +0000

In reply to LD.

@LD – one photo session we had a few years ago that was the least stressful was one of just our kids, when we had 3 of them. We were forbidden to be in the room. I have no idea what they did — I was just checking email! But of course they also insisted that everyone be over age 3, which I guess is the point where they can be reasoned with or bribed.

By: Lynn Walters

Lynn Walters — Tue, 25 Apr 2017 16:23:48 +0000

To save money one year, we decided to take our (2) kids’ Christmas photos by ourselves. At the time, it was crazy making but we ended up with one great one that I still love (16 years later).

By: LD

LD — Tue, 25 Apr 2017 14:36:27 +0000

True story: Last fall we took family photos, with a really great local photographer. Three of the four of us cried (first my 6 yo daughter, then my 2 yo son, and then me all the way home). Both of my kids turned into total nutballs, and were So. Naughty. My 2 y.o. actively resisted even looking at the camera. I was so mad at everyone that I had to leave the house after we got home. There will NOT be family photos again for at least a few years. Best/Worst quote from the whole scene, “It’s like no matter how low I set my expectations, they’re never low enough!” Ooof.