Picture Perfect

Two years ago I took Natalie in for pictures at a local  photography franchise. The photographer so scared Natalie, we never went back.

About a year and a half after Brooke from StudioB did our teacher headshots, I finally decided it was time to try again. She does absolutely beautiful work, and I was sure she wouldn’t frighten my children!

So, two days before our appointment she sent an email that said, “I’m looking forward to photographing you and your children.” And I thought, “Oh, crud.” I was just planning on pictures of my kids. But I decided all of us should just go. Including the dog. And Karl.

It was pouring rain last Friday; we were late. I literally had 10 minutes to get myself ready. Hair, makeup and 14 pieces of clothing. A stressed mom, wet dog, antsy children (and calm husband) arrived at her studio in Issaquah.

I thought that perhaps we’d get a half hour with her at the most. (The other studios give about a 15 minute time limit.) I was so wrong. It was a real photo shoot, not a photography appointment.

Totally fun, relaxed and no time pressure to “get it done”. She played with our kids, quickly figured out our family personality, and even took their pose suggestions!

And then I got a bit worried. Did we do okay? We certainly don’t look like all those picture-perfect families on the wall. So here, word for word, is the email I sent her:

I’m really not high-maintenance. Really. But then I started to look at all those beautiful pics on your site where parents spent hundreds of dollars on really cute clothes – mostly dark or neutrals. And we did stuff in our closet. In color, which I love. So we could spend more on the actual pictures. And although I love formal shots and I love to dress up (maybe next year Natalie and I will have to come in together), the boys are really more casual people.  And it was pouring down rain, and we were late, and I had literally 10 minutes to get myself ready. And everyone else had a hair cut that week. And my haircut appt. wasn’t until yesterday. So I was frantically plucking my brows, which were due for a wax. Because although this really was for the kids, I figured I might not get another chance to do all of us together, so I wanted all of us.

And now I’m totally paranoid we did it all wrong, and I’m going out of town on business tomorrow, so we can’t see you and the pics until next Wednesday.

Did they turn out okay?

And this is the picture I got back:

So, if you want really wonderful pictures, that show your family as lovely and delightful as they are on the outside and  inside both, go see Brooke. Use that mini-session in the birthday card our Studio3Music students receive.

-posted by Miss Analiisa, who thinks you should visit Brooke’s site and blog, where she posted our picture and gives her side of the story!