Every now and then, I start feeling like I don't have enough 'portraits' of my kids. It's not that I'm lacking photos of my kids (I'm certainly not.) It's just that most of what I take are candids rather than portraits.
So I took portraits of all of the kids this weekend and it was painful.
Not one of them was willing to give me five minutes without a bunch of whining and griping..
Ross was the last one to have his pictures taken and by the time I got to him, my patience had already been spent. So when he commented about how he had 'Better not get his sweatshirt dirty', I went off...ranting & raving about how I do so much for all of my kids and was it really that much to ask each one of them to give me five minutes of their time without complaining? And about how Cali didn't complain when I took her senior pictures and Dylan didn't complain when I took his senior pictures either. But each and every one of my kids had to complain. Coley had to complain because he wanted to go back inside and read Harry Potter, Courtney complained because it hurt her neck too much to look at the camera, Ross complained because the ground was too wet and Annie didn't really complain - she just refused to look at the camera and made me chase her all around the yard because she wouldn't sit still (as usual.) And then I continued on about how I'm just a mom who happens to love photography and it really hurt my feelings that my kids weren't willing to do that for me every once in a while and that...
It was about that time that Ross referred to me as Oscar the Grouch.
But alas, I have a few new portraits of my kids even if the memories that go along with them aren't all that memorable.
And a funny story about Ross that I've been wanting to post...
A few weeks ago I came home from a Zumba class that I had signed up for and was showing Ross some of my new 'Zumba moves'. One of my new, un-perfected moves was the 'shimmy'. You know what I'm talking about...where you attempt to hold your body still while shaking your shoulders back and forth until everything else starts shaking too.
Mid-shimmy, Ross looked at me straight-faced and said, "Add that to the list of things you should never see your mother do."
Really busy with my current online class that is wrapping up so my blogging will be short this week - but I'll post the pictures of the other kids over the next few days. Still have to try find a way to sucker Annie into at least one shot with her looking at the camera though.
LOVE love love Ross' comment. And sharing your "pain" about the photos--yesterday I took the kids to a Christmas tree farm to try to get a photo for Gamma's (Grandma) Christmas card. I don't know who complained more, the kids or the husband, though. (No, he wasn't even in the pictures, and I did ask him to stay home!) But add on top of that, when I got home and looked at pictures on camera, I think all were about one f-stop overexposed and didn't seem totally crisp/clear, so I wished I was you [Karen Russell] and knew I needed to review my class binder!
Posted by: amy | November 16, 2009 at 07:24 AM
I had the exact same conversation with my family last weekend. It resulted in a trip to the park and a whole lot of pictures. But the trip there was a grumpy one. And I kept thinking about how you mentioned that in class and I had to lighten up the mood a bit so I bribed them all with lunch at the mall. It helped, I got some great pictures.
Posted by: kelli | November 16, 2009 at 07:25 AM
Karen i just think that is the way it goes yep said the same to my girls now one of them is a professional photographer.
ya karma right back at her.
You are always so hard on your self.
your a good mama and a great woman.
can't wait to see the rest of the kids.
Miss ya
Lisa Hall
Posted by: Lisa Hall | November 16, 2009 at 07:38 AM
I can sympathize with Ross on the shimmy thing >.<
Lovely picture you've taken of him there (:
Posted by: Sophie | November 16, 2009 at 08:05 AM
Um, how much do you LOVE Zumba?! I {heart} Zumba & take a class once a week...I wish it was offered more frequently!
Posted by: Nicole Kberg | November 16, 2009 at 08:27 AM
I just love your blog - the pictures AND your writing. Those kids! Sometimes Moms need to rant at them - they'll live. It's funny - when I'm taking pictures everybody moans too. Then when I break out the scrapbooks, everybody loves to look at them and remember what was going on at the time. Seems like the drudgery falls from the actual picture taking and all the goodness stays. At least that's what I tell myself when someone groans loudly as I say for the 50th time, "just one more!"
Posted by: DonnaG | November 16, 2009 at 08:28 AM
That is the best quote ever. :)
Posted by: Jennifer M. | November 16, 2009 at 08:42 AM
I laughed out loud about what Ross said, that is toooo funny...No matter what pictures you take, they're always inspirational to me and beautiful..I love your style.
Catharine
Posted by: catharine | November 16, 2009 at 08:46 AM
hilarious comment about the shimmy by ross!! :)
i've been taking zumba 2x a week for about 10 months...
and i'm JUST now perfecting my shimmy ;)
Posted by: sarah | November 16, 2009 at 08:49 AM
you crack me up! Great picture of Ross!
Posted by: gina f. | November 16, 2009 at 08:59 AM
Have you ever tried using a remote to capture Annie looking at the camera? I just got one and can't wait to try it out at my baby shower on Sunday. The family kiddies will be a lot of fun to practice on. If they don't think I am using the camera they might be more relaxed and snap with the remote when I see them looking towards it. At least it sounds good in theory!
Posted by: shutterbug8162 | November 16, 2009 at 08:59 AM
Well...the photo you took of Ross is awesome Karen! wowsers! And his comment made me LOL! I love your blog! :D cant wait to see pics of your other kiddos!
Posted by: cindy johnston | November 16, 2009 at 10:07 AM
so feeling your pain on trying to take portraits. but hearing you talk about it makes me feel a teensy bit better.
Posted by: allison Gottlieb | November 16, 2009 at 10:10 AM
Great shot of Ross! I was just thinking I don't take nearly enough of the everyday stuff! Thanks for the inspiration!
Posted by: Lynn | November 16, 2009 at 10:34 AM
Thanks for the Monday morning laugh (not about the complainers...just the comment from Ross). And now that I know Zumba classes include learning how to do a proper shimmy, I won't ever be enrolling in a Zumba class. You've just saved me from some embarrassing moments. Can't wait to see the other pictures! Have a great week.
Posted by: Kim P | November 16, 2009 at 10:41 AM
Sorry but I refuse to do the "shimmy" in Turbo Kick Boxing class that my teacher loves to do. It's something I don't need to see myself do with all the mirrors around me. You are a brave woman.
Posted by: Huyen | November 16, 2009 at 11:25 AM
I would sooo shimmy! and my sons would probably have the same reaction!
Posted by: JaYne | November 16, 2009 at 11:39 AM
I know exactly how you feel about taking pictures of your kids. Several months ago when my oldest daughter, who is 5, began to whine about pictures, I told her that she would only be 5 once and I would like to take pictures so that we could remember it. I began to cry like a mad woman....I try to remember that they don't understand where I am coming from as a mother (who is obssessed with photography.
Posted by: Susan Helms | November 16, 2009 at 12:18 PM
this sounds like my kids....I take photos of all their friends for SR shoots and family shoots...but they can never make it easy on me when I want to take photos of them.
I feel your pain...
Kim
Posted by: Kim Bolyard | November 16, 2009 at 12:20 PM
Loved the post! I don't have kids so my hubby is my victim and boy does he put up a fight! And love, love the picture of Ross! Hugs from Conroe, TX!
Posted by: Nancy Wyatt | November 16, 2009 at 01:47 PM
Your kids sound like my kids. My 2 1/2 year old consistently says, "No! Don't take my picture!" with his hand up like a police officer directing traffic to stop. He does it almost every single time he sees the camera lens point his direction. Try bribing Annie with something...chocolate or lollipops work at my house every time. Or a dollar or two. Good luck!
Posted by: Janna | November 16, 2009 at 01:49 PM
HYSTERICAL!!!
Posted by: Dawn | November 16, 2009 at 01:56 PM
That story is just great! I love his comment about the shimmy!
Posted by: Melissa Mann | November 16, 2009 at 02:00 PM
Really great picture of Ross. What a nice looking kid! And, i loved his Zumba comment. I have two nephews a little older them him and get that kind of stuff from them all the time! LOL! You made me smile today!
Posted by: KateinCleveland | November 16, 2009 at 02:10 PM
Since my kids were little, I have bribed them with ice cream for a photo shoot. :) They are now 22, 18 and 16 AND I still bribe them!
Posted by: Gena - MI | November 16, 2009 at 02:20 PM
OMHeck! Hilarious! I think you should show Ross your zumba moves every week!
And you said the magic word!!! How about doing something crazy like taping an irresistable looking SUCKER to your camera, a headband (or your forehead!) for Annie. Tell her she'll get it only if she smiles for the sucker....ha. You might look like a dork, but maybe you'll get some good pics!!! :D
Posted by: kat-in-texas | November 16, 2009 at 03:37 PM
Karen,
Your post made me smile! My oldest, Ryan, who is 12 has resorted to saying "Awkward!" very loudly when I say something that he finds embarassing. I think he has things on his "not to see me do" list too!
Posted by: Lynn | November 16, 2009 at 05:38 PM
I so feel for you! My son never used to let me takes portraits of him....still doesn't. But he's grown now, 24 and lives 3000 miles from me (in Oregon actually..lol!). Maybe if you ask the kids to "schedule" the portrait time with you when they feel like it, they may feel like they are more in control....kind of make a game of it? I so wish I had more photos of my son....maybe I should schedule him an appointment with you....how far are you from Eugene? LOL! Good luck...love your photography!
Posted by: Kathleen | November 16, 2009 at 05:55 PM
OK, I literally laughed out loud!! Too funny that Ross said that!!!
And great picture of him!
Posted by: Carla | November 16, 2009 at 06:14 PM
Haha, Ross' comment sounds so much like what my oldet son(18) would say. My kids are like that, hate having photos done, then complain that I don't have enough shots of them, go figure...
Posted by: Susy | November 16, 2009 at 09:16 PM
My family calls me Oscar the Grouch, and I don't even have my camera in hand! Ross is too funny - love his shimmy comment. Sorry your portrait taking was less than ideal. It makes me feel better to know that I'm not the only one with uncooperative subjects. Glad you managed to get some good shots. Love the one of Ross that you posted.
Posted by: Dana N | November 16, 2009 at 10:03 PM
Ha ha, Ross cracks me up. Tell Annie that Santa's elf is hiding in your camera.
Posted by: Lisa | November 16, 2009 at 11:06 PM
So typical!! My three are just the same..."Mom, go away,don't come neeeeaaaarrr me, I said go, no I will nOT look at the camera!!" I hear it every time I walk near the camera LOL...
I have a 4 year old and to make her look at me I put a BIG lollipop behind me or near my head. She'll stare at it and sit still (escepially if she thinks she will get to eat it!!) I bought one of those big colorful ones for bait and then give her a small one!!
Posted by: Conni | November 17, 2009 at 05:14 AM
I feel EXACTLY the same way when my son won't let me take his picture.---It REALLY hurts my feelings.
Posted by: {vicki} | November 17, 2009 at 05:25 AM
Seriously Karen you just made my day. Each time I ask the girls if they will pose for me so that I can one practice and two get a nice portrait of each of them they complain to where I get so angry I usually start complaining about how much I do for them also LOL. Thanks once again for being so very real Love you my friend!!!
Posted by: Deneen | November 17, 2009 at 07:09 AM
What a wonderful photo. The contrast is gorgeous...The colors are just so rich and the bokeh is perfect....I call it perfection!
Hey, they complain to you because they KNOW that no matter what you will love them. I call it "hazard duty".
Have a wonderful day!
Thanks for blogging!
Posted by: janel | November 17, 2009 at 07:32 AM
I hear you about having kids pose for you. I only have one and he gives me the hardest time sometimes and it shows in the shots.
Ross is growing up to be quite a handsome young man.
Posted by: Paola Norman | November 18, 2009 at 07:16 PM
I don't think you need the bribery thing with Annie as much as you need the reverse psychology thing. You know, tell her, "Mommy is going to take some special pictures of you today but you can NOT be looking at the camera." Then you comment on how she needs to look to the left, or like she is looking for a special star in the sky but not to look at the camera. As long as you keep snapping, you will probably get a picture of her looking right at the camera.
That is how those girls with those spirited (but charming) personalities are...my is 11 and a 1/2 and I am still working on strategies with her!!!
Posted by: KP | November 18, 2009 at 07:44 PM
Thanks for making my day Ross-that is the funniest thing I have heard!:)
Posted by: Angie | November 19, 2009 at 01:47 PM
I love Ross - he reminds me of my Ryan (22)- just puts it out there. His role seems to be to keep us honest, kwim?
Posted by: Ally | November 22, 2009 at 05:12 AM
You are my all time favorite photographer, blogger, Mother... So glad to know that I'm not the only one with older sons that do not want their Mom to be too hip. My girlfriends can't believe how conservative my boys are when it comes to Mom. Not to be "creepy", but your photos and stories of your family is one of the few things that cheers me in my depression. I really admire you and Josh.
Posted by: Susi | December 13, 2009 at 11:42 AM