Thursday, November 11, 2010

Even better than a Vanity Fair photo shoot

Every fall, since Max was a year-and-a-half old, we've hired a photographer to come to the house and take pictures of our family. It is the best money we spend the entire year. I don't take half-bad photos, but then I see pro photos and, hel-lo! Beautiful. Also, I am the family photographer, so I never end up in pictures (mom job hazard). I also typically think I look like I have at least ten chins in photos (a being-me hazard).

This year, we tried a new photographer, Yasmeen Anderson. I'd read good things about her on a mom e-loop I'm part of. I was a little concerned about Max cooperating, though. He takes a great photo, but he is not good about being in photos. He gets antsy, he wanders away, he doesn't love doing shots with Sabrina.

Yasmeen went along with Max's mood, trailing around after him and making him laugh. She has amazing energy, she's fun, and she is extremely patient. She was great with Sabrina, too, who has a habit of smiling for photos like The Cheshire Cat. Alternately, she rolls her eyes back so she looks like she's possessed.

This time everyone behaved themselves, at least enough to get some stellar photos.
















I would love to see great photos of your kids. If I did a photo carnival next Wednesday in which you post a fave photo of your kid with special needs on your blogs, would you join in?

36 comments:

  1. I love the photos of your beautiful family!!

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  2. Awesome photos, Ellen! I'll join in, but it will likley be a blurry photo at Disneyland taken on my phone. It sounds rough, I know. don't pity me, I'm fine with it. Heh.

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  3. Sabrina hugging her Daddy and then hugging Max...how precious. Love your family photos!!!

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  4. I am so glad that you are in the pictures. There is not one picture of my mother and me from my childhood, and that makes me very sad. I have only been able to find one of her with my younger brother, and she is not even facing the camera.

    These are fantastic pictures, and I agree: worth every penny.

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  5. These are lovely! Professional photos by someone who can truly capture the inner spirit are precious. Cherish these. And thank you for sharing them.

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  6. Those are great!! I would love to join in next week. :)

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  7. Who doesn't love a photo carnival? I'm in. Thanks for sharing yours... I'm anxiously waiting for our family photos to arrive.

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  8. Ellen, these are so great. I love Sabrina's ambush Max hug. I'm with you on getting a pro. I hire a photog for a few hours on one vacation a year. I don't have to tote the camera and the family Christmas card photo is knocked out months in advance. These are especially great pics though. Natural, fun and beautiful...

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  9. Fantastic photos! I love how they aren't posed and stiff. Looks like the photographer caught some great candid moments.

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  10. Your family is gorgeous, Ellen!

    I'd love to join in the photo carnival! My boyfriend did a DIY photo session of Ruby at a park last month and we got some really great shots. Not as good as a professional, but not bad.

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  11. yes! yes! I'd definitely participte! Wonderful pictures!

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  12. sure... but I'm kind of cheating saying that since I post photos of my kid with special needs pretty much every day!

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  13. Glad you guys would be into this! This would be a bit more than just picking a fave photo, I'd ask everyone to say a little bit about why you love the photo and what it says to you about your child.

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  14. These pics are great!! Great idea to hire a professional!

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  15. Absolutely awesome! Definitely money well spent!

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  16. What a beautiful family. Yes, you can count me in for the blog carnival.

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  17. beautiful post, kids and photos! love. it! :)

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  18. Beautiful! And I would love to join the blog carnival.

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  19. YEAH! I love the first pic of Sabrina - oh she is lovely! The one of Max peeping through the gap in the stone is brilliant.

    I'd be up for the carnival. Not got great pics but have an irresistibly handsome boy! Xxx

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  20. Gorgeous photos and would definitely post photos of our little guy in the carnival!!

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  21. Your kids are amazingly beautiful!!! Those are great pictures! I am pretty sure I need some kind of 12 step program for my obsesion with pictures and would love to participate!

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  22. Great photos...and I'd be in for the carnival. :)

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  23. Great pics, and of course I'd join in!

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  24. hmm how would that work as I am a adult with special needs I am not good at self potrats we will see

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  25. Totally would - love our photographer and what she does with us! We're never going to the mall for photos again!

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  26. how nice, the outdoors is so pretty and your family is gorgeous, you too! you look great!

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  27. Love, love, LOVE the photos! Y'all look great!

    I'd love a photo carnival ~ sounds fun. ;)

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  28. Fabulous photos!! And I'm in...I've got some CUTE ones!! :-)

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  29. Love the photos!!! We are having photos made on Thursday. I can't wait.

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  30. I have been bitten by the photography bug! Got my first "real" camera a year ago and haven't put it down since. LOVE taking pics. of my kiddos. Isaiah flashes the biggest "cheese" when he sees me with my Canon. I'm in for the carnival!

    Your pictures are fantastic.

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  31. Love the photos, Ellen. What a beautiful family! And, it was so nice seeing you all in person on Saturday.

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  32. Fantastic pictures! Great color and great smiles.

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Thanks for sharing!