Plaid, Pine & Thanksgiving Time

Tis the season right...whew...November is bout over as quick as it started. I still got Summer clothes lingering, lol. WELP!! It's that time again...aside from the upcoming holiday...Fall Family Photoshoots. The tradition started out with just 3; Rickey, Dee and I and we later extended it once Toot arrived to make it one big family pic. I've since taken over as "Creative Director" to dress us whether it's a theme or simple coordination where I am David Ruffin....and these are The Temptations **cue my viral laugh**

Being the Queen Bee within the "frat house" when I craft the theme, it needs to be practical and easy. We are operating with a toddler with a short attention span and teenager who would much rather be with his younger crowd than old heads and I can be out there all day whether its enjoying fresh air and/or snapping pics throughout the day BUT for the sake of time and patience...we make the sessions capped at 2hrs.

Last year, the theme was Hoodie Szn and this year it was plaid n alpine which I crafted off of Toot's sweater I got from Carter's (or was it OshKosh) and found Mason's Alpine sweater and my boys plaids came from Old Navy. I didn't want us ALL in plaid so I had the kids break it up for a cohesive look esp when you break off pics into smaller groups or singles.

I actually look forward to these more than I care to admit because when apple reminds me of memories, I come across previous sessions and I'm glad I was able to capture the moment. This is our 2nd year using the services of S. Damone Photography and he's stuck with us. He's been patient and works well with our quirky family. We are definitely a ball of laughs and jokes; I love the way he catches our candids. They've been my faves.

If you are creative director of your own group and you scramble looking for inspo on google images or pintrest; stop and breathe. You know your audience so don't overthink it. With this group, I focus on what I want them to look like first. We always go here during the first week of the Fall month before all the leaves fall so I know the backdrop. I also want them to be comfortable in what they are wearing so I match them up with their personalities. I am THE compliment to them altogether so I fall in place last but certainly not least. Becuz I'm the First Lady, I'm very much the star (in my head, lol) yet we gotta look good as a UNIT.

Family Photoshoot (Default) Inspo: I love the classic look of families in a white top whether its a button up or tshirt and jeans. It's a very clean look. I also love the sleekness of all black as well. You can never go wrong with this formula of solids.

AND THIS is my family. I am beaming with so much pride just reliving the moments posting to share. I hope this post has inspired you to take some time to take a picture to last longer because these kids really do grow up fast. I also know that we shouldn't take time for granted in thinking we will be here tomorrow because that's not guaranteed. We put off so much thinking we got time to do something later and later doesn't come when death sneaks in to steal the moment we could've taken advantage of when we had the chance.

Budgets can be tight. Improvise. Don't let lack of funds keep you from creating lasting memories to capture the moment of NOW. Let me share Exhibit A:

This was taken Dec 2019 (little did we know the pandemic was on our boots) off a whim. I had us live out the infamous "matching pajamas" families do and guess what...we got photography at home, lol. I had Dee grab his camera and set up my props on the steps and VOILA. There is no excuse!! I know we have these grandeaur ideas of how we want our vision to come out but come on now...you gotta start somewhere. We've been doing our own bootleg style pics for years until I said..enough is enough and HIRED someone to do them and life's been so much easier but you sometimes have to take small steps to get there.

As we wrap up the season of seconds—second helpings, second hugs, and second chances—I’m wishing you a holiday filled with warmth that lasts well beyond the table. May your blessings be bold, your pie be plentiful, and your gratitude come with a side of glow. Now that’s what I call serving looks and leftovers.