Outfits for Family Pictures

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Today is a big day at our house!  The day mom is super excited about and everyone else tolerates…family picture day.  I love taking pictures and am usually the one behind the camera.  If you love taking pictures and have a nice camera then you know what a challenge it is to hand it off to someone else so you can actually be in a picture with your family.  My luck is never that great and I typically end up with an unfocused picture or the lighting is pathetic or they take one shot and there are lots of eyes closed.  Since 2009 I have tried to hire a photographer to take our Christmas pix at least every other year and I’m always super excited with the results but always super stressed putting our outfits together.  This year I actually have had the majority picked out for weeks so I’m feeling ahead of the game and as long as I have a good hair day I think this will turn out ok!  
 
I almost always start by picking out an outfit for Carly Jo.  This is partly a perk of being the youngest but partly because I have the hardest time finding clothes that are age appropriate and fit her nicely.  I found this top at Dillards a few months back and knew it had potential.  I have paired with jeans that are slim fit through the leg with a slight bootcut and these little booties I bought for her during the Nordstrom anniversary sale.  We are debating about adding the fur vest and will see where tomorrow takes us! 
Family Photos
Exact top here//Exact fur vest here//Jessica Simpson jeans similar here//Booties similar here
 
I headed to Old Navy online to try to find some reasonable shirts for my guys.  When I saw the flannel plaid it was instant love!  They will all wear with jeans and my husband will wear boots while the boys will either wear Sperrys or Vans. 
Blue checked here//Grey pullover here//Flannel Plaid here
 
Jordan & I have the most clothes in our closets but seriously it is always the hardest pulling together our outfits.  Here are two options I have come up with for me and since she doesn’t live at home she has seen what I have and it will be a surprise when she shows up tomorrow!  
 Plaid Scarf Options here//Sam Edelman Boots here//Gap sweaters similar here
Leopard Scarf option here//Dolman Top similar here
 
The even bigger challenge for me is to wear a real smile!  You wouldn’t think smiling would be so hard but I’m telling you I seriously have the biggest issue smiling naturally for pictures.  I’m really hoping I get a few great shots to print on canvas for my entry hall.  My kids are literally growing up before my eyes and having these pix every year just makes me so happy!  
 
Here is a funny out take from our family shoot last year.  I had to set up my tripod and use a remote to take our pictures myself and so there is lots of taking some pix and then me running to look and see how things look and then running back for more pix.  It’s exhausting.  We were working on fixing some hair, etc and I guess Carly Jo decided it was a perfect time for her own little photo shoot.  I laughed so hard when I loaded my pictures and found these little gems! 
Work it girl!