Ahhh….. the holidays. Christmas. The New Year. And then Armenian Christmas (at our house anyways). The fashion for kids in between. I suppose there’s no escaping any of them at this point (I’m teasing — I love it!). But man, am I POOPED. I blame the pictures.
Gifts are done. Decorating has been up for a while. The fashion for each upcoming event has been selected and ready to wear. A much-needed, impromptu get together with some friends (grownups only! yeah!) happened this weekend. Sparkling Cranberry Ginger Vodka Punch included. With mint.
But the picture-taking. THE PICTURE TAKING. With my 5 and almost-4 year old darlings, I’m fighting a losing battle. Taking pictures has been my challenge these days. I mean, you dress these little people up to look like miniature Christmas packages and want a decent picture! Right?!?! Right.
I’ve tried it all… “Stand next to the Nutcracker and look at me! Hey! Look at Mommy!!!”
Lost the little one. So I get IN the picture. “Look at Daddy! Look! Look at Daddy! Smile at Daddy!”
Yeah. 3 year old: 2. Mom: 0. It is what it is.
“Stand next to each other and strike a pose!”
Whoops. Lost the big one this time. But ok. Getting closer. Closer is… closer, I guess. Until we unravel and tire of it all.
No. It’s not time to take off your shoes. Can you stand up? I’m trying to get a picture here!?!?!?!
Kids: 4. Mom: 0. They say to get a great picture, it works to squeeze everyone together really tight. Some say you should tell everyone say ‘whiskey’ instead of ‘cheese’ because it makes the mouth curve more naturally into a grin (hey, makes me smile). They also say to just let everyone be themselves.
Aha. Getting closer. (Mom: 1/2.) But now you know why I haven’t sent out any Christmas cards this season. At least they’re dressed to the nines with FabKids… I swear, my girls have worn these sequin & sparkly dresses everywhere this month. We dress ’em up with tights & flats or dress ’em down with jeans and boots. They work. We love ’em. They’re also obsessed with sparkling like mini-walking holiday ornaments. So why can’t I just get ONE picture with everyone looking at the camera? My youngest one barely even humored me for our recent fashion show segment on Los Angeles’ KTLA Morning News…. watch segment here if you’re interested to see her efforts to shoplift a giant lion on set.
The little rascals. Gotta love ’em. Especially when they’re all dressed up.
If you’ve got tips for taking fabulous pictures of tots, please leave a comment below and be entered to WIN a $50 gift certificate for FabKids.com, the children’s fashion brand and personalized shopping site that creates outfits for boys and girls. Each month, FabKids launches a collection of on-trend, age appropriate outfits and shoes that are perfectly styled and durable enough to withstand playground fun all year long. Who says you can’t play outside in sequins… you CAN. Because we HAVE. FabKids also gives VIP Members extra access to competitive pricing…
Even if you don’t have a tried and true tip for picture-taking your tots, leave a comment below and enter to WIN! Contest open now through Monday December 28, 2015, 11:59pmPST. (Continental U.S., Hawaii & Alaska only.) Everybody say WHISKEY! Winner will be announced Tuesday December 29, 2015.
DISCLOSURE: This is part of a sponsored partnership between TheFabMom and FabKids. I was additionally provided outfits for purposes of this post and various television appearances. All opinions and experiences are my own.
Ok ok! As promised, the randomly-selected winner for the $50 gift certificate for FabKids is…. (drumroll): Sindaset (name above in comments). I’ll be emailing you about how to claim the prize….
Thank you everyone for leaving a comment! Happy dressing with your kiddos and a very Happy New Year!
I have twins: 2 1/2 years old! It is really hard to catch a smile in a photo of them!!
My only tip is to make them laugh right before taking the photo and then taking about 5 in a row. It usually never ends up with them both smiling though lol!!
Twins! Whoa! Ok you get double credit for patience with pictures… I bet they’re adorable!
I just take photos as they’re on the move! It makes for pretty unique photos 🙂
I’m beginning to think that’s the way to go… (Except if my little one starts picking her nose because she knows it drives me nuts hehehehe…)
Hi Jill! Always fun and interesting reads on your blog! When my girl (1 1/2) is not smiling for the camera, sometimes putting her in charge does the trick. I’ve gotten some great smiles with the phone or iPad in selfie mode. She’ll usually smile at herself and then push the button.
The SELFIE generation! Lol. Love it! Merry Christmas!
We try telling jokes or saying ridiculous things…,they are into boo boo butt from Book with no pictures, I have little boys so underwear jokes usually work magic.
Potty humor is always a surefire with little boys… although my girls have started with it too. The little rascals… love it!
Glad I’m not the only one with issues photographing littles. My favorite is when they look fab, great smiles & poses, only to realize it’s blurry.
That happens to me too!!! But I am happy to hear I’m not the only one…
These comments (all of them, from all of you!) are CRACKING ME UP! Thank you for being so fun and honest!!!
I have learned “I get what I get”…lol. I try to get both kids smiling and posing…but I know when I look back these pics will be great memories! Happy Holidays!
Veronica
You’re so right!
Hi Jill, I have 2 girls as well and lately it’s been difficult to take smiling pics with my 2 year old so what I do is carry both my 1 yr. old smiley face and my 2 year old and tickle her behind her knees. It’s the perfect picture when she starts giggling.
How have I not thought about tickling? Good idea!!!
Uhhhh, I totally bribe my kids with treats. Small ones that they can eat quickly between shots. I try not to do a ton of sugar so this year I opted for yogurt covered raisins…which required wipes between shots which I hadn’t anticipated. But hey, it got the job done! 😉
Aha! LOVE IT.
Sign me up! Can I just hire you to dress my entire family? Love your segments and hope to see more of you on air in 2016!
Officially entered in contest Elisa! Thank you for the sweet words!
Always look forward to your posts!
Merry Christmas
Awww thank you! Merry Christmas!
Candid real photos are everything for me. Dress them up and have them engage in what they like and snap away. For a fam photo, do something normally would w the fam cuddle snuggle sit down to watch tv whatever and snap. 🙂 and maybe bribe them w favorite snacks afterwards
I think you’re right about the cuddling… Pictures do look better if everyone’s squeezed and cute.
You already know I have zero photo tips to share. Haha! Merry Christmas darling! XO
Haha! Merry Christmas!
We first make sure she’s rested(or we all suffer lol) then we sing HER FAV song “Mr Sun” then if that doesn’t work we say “I’m going to get you…” And inevitably we get a smile! Ha
Oh Mr. Sun, sun, Mr. Golden Sun… That one? Smart thinking!
I stand behind them and gently tickle her, it gives her such a genuine smile and another way was for us to jump up and down and be silly! It gets them smiling all the time ?
tickles! why didn’t i think of that! smart. love it!
Love your post ! 🙂
For taking the best tot pics: Choose the perfect time (after nap and snacks) and get them talking.
aha! get them TALKING! that’s brilliant… thank you! and thank you for the kind words — glad you enjoy!
The clothes on set were soooo cute. i am raising my almost four year old grand daughter who is all about the glam. She is quite a diva already. Can’t wait to order some boots and dresses for her.
thank you! how adorable… nothing is cuter than a glammed-up four year old!
Well I have three kids 5 years old 4 years old and 16 months…my 5 year old son and 16 month old daughter love taking pictures but my 4 year old always makes funny face or mean face…never wants to smile he makes me laugh so much because I don’t have normal pictures with him.so when I really want him to take a regular smiling picture I play games with him like it making face time I become a paparazzi to him..until in the end I tell him ok super boy now one nice smile for the camra…or I just tell him I’ll give him his favorite snack which I don’t mind since it’s apple slices….thats how I don’t it with my kids always make it like a game so they can enjoy it….hope you have a wonderful christmas…
how cute… sometimes the mean faces are really funny and make for the best pictures! good mom for making it all work! wishing you a wonderful christmas too!
Make sure your kids are feed before taking pictures and before their nap time for the Best Photos!
Best of luck,
Erika
aha!!!! YES. a full tummy is always good for making anyone happy! (i myself am starving right now! ha!) good tip…
Fab kids what a great idea and such cute kids (and clothes)
yay! so happy you enjoyed the segment!
Grandma of 29, love your website
did you say: 29? 29 grandkids?!?! wow! blessings blessings! amazing… thank you for the kind words!