It’s December 1, do you know where your Christmas cards are?
This year, I took advantage of the fall teacher inservice days and dragged my boys out for a photo shoot. When most people think of an ideal backdrops for a family portrait, they usually head for a park, the beach, or maybe a historic mansion. We’ve done that before.
But there’s something about family portraits taken in bucolic (dare I say aspirational?) settings that doesn’t quite sit well with me. I mean, everyone knows my kids run around in t-shirts that were handed out free during summer camp. And my daily uniform is pretty much yoga pants and a ponytail. So there’s something sort of phony and show-offy about gussying everyone up in their matching sweaters and combed hair for the family photo that reflects nothing of what everyone looks like the other 364 days of the year.
There’s this old warehouse I’ve driven by hundreds of times. The paint is peeling and it’s right next to the railroad tracks (on the wrong side, I’m sure). There’s a strip bar that caters to factory workers across the street. But every time I saw the warehouse from the my car, I’d notice the symmetry of the loading docks, the monochromatic coloring, and the gritty realism of it all.
But wait. I thought we were talking about family pictures?
Yep. One morning, I told my boys to put on their grommiest clothes, and we drove over to the warehouse. I kinda liked the results. In fact, I’m using them for our Christmas cards.
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Grace Hwang Lynch
Aisha G @HartlynKids
Man – I was so good about this the first year my daughter was born… I’m not sure if I will be doing it this year… and my hubby is a photographer too so that makes it even worse!
Grace
Aisha, I missed a year or two when my kids were small. Or maybe I sent a lame picture with no writing at all. I can’t really remember anymore!
Susannah
The trouble is, that photo is way too classy! The kids look gorgeous and the background is so cool. Next year you’ll have to really grunge it up – old pj’s perhaps?
Bicultural Mama
Cute kids! The photo kind of looks like it would be in a magazine like from a magazine shoot!
Adel
Beautiful boys! Where is this place? Love the textures in the background!
Virginia Kahler-Anderson, aka HomeRearedChef
Grace, I LOVE the picture, and the background is totally awesome! Your idea to do this is ingenious! By the way, your boys are awfully handsome!! :)
~Virginia
Pat Tanumihardja
Great shot, Grace! Your boys are adorable. And thanks for reminding me what I haven’t done …
Asianmommy
What a sweet card!