This post is sponsored in partnership with CanvasPeople, and keep reading because that includes a free canvas for you!
The facebook post from my favorite photographer offered up a mini-photo session in a field of flowers. And because I have a deep, unending desire for my life to look like a Pinterest board, I immediately booked that session and began imagining all the ways family photos in a flower field would profoundly change my life.
“Let’s take outdoor family photos,” I thought. “It will be fun,” I thought. “My kids will be so cute and well-behaved and definitely look at the camera and not run screaming away,” I thought.
Spoiler alert: I thought wrong.
My first hint that things might go amiss was when my six-year-old looked at our pregnant photographer and asked brightly, “So, how DID that baby get in your belly actually?”
My second hint was when my eighteen-month-old took one look at the lady with the camera and took off shrieking in the other direction.
I really should have seen that coming.
It’s not like we have a good track record with Ridley and photos. See: My mother’s wedding.
Ridley is not impressed with photo sessions.
In fact, the only way we could convince him to sit down and be a part of the family pictures was to let him have his favorite toy.
And that is the story of why our 2017 family pictures are of Ridley eyeing the camera suspiciously while keeping a firm hold on his beloved, bright orange basketball.
I had it printed on canvas in a 16×20 because ACCURATE.
Also, I apologize if you came here for legit advice on how to get a perfect family photo. Like, if you wanted to know things about picking the perfect family photo outfits and coordinating clothing and all that. I’ve got nothing for you. Because while I am partial to bright colors and a mixture of patterns, Scarlette’s dress arrived the day before the shoot and was too big but I didn’t have time to grab her something else and the rest of her clothes were too small because I planned this photoshoot the same week that my mother got married and I went back to work full-time. IT WAS A SEASON, Y’ALL. So I safety-pinned her dress and called it a day.
I happen to think it’s pretty perfect, though. I kind of love that we ended up with a family photo that showcases #RidleyIsNotImpressed and his obsession with Ball Ball and Scarlette missing her two front teeth.
I have yet to decide where to hang it in my house. I have moved it a few places and think that really, I want it to live on the gallery wall but that is in the process of being repainted. Ridley, however, seems to be enamored with it in my bedroom. He doesn’t like TAKING the photos but he likes seeing them, apparently.
If you are looking for a Mother’s Day gift, CanvasPeople is offering my readers 1 (one) FREE* 11×14 canvas when you use this link: Free 11×14 Canvas
*All you have to pay is shipping. Normally 11×14 canvases are priced at $69.99 so it’s a steal of a deal. Or if canvases aren’t your thing but personalized photo gifts are, you can use this link to save 65% off other products: 65% off at CanvasPeople
I ordered the thick wrap, so here is a view from the side so that you can see how the image continues off the edge, gallery-wrap style.
And here is one propped on my bookshelf so you have an idea of sizing. This is a 16×20. And yes, I do keep all of the books I’ve written/had devotionals in on prominent display in my living room. I regret nothing.
This was my first time ordering from CanvasPeople and I appreciated how intuitive and fast the process was. They ship incredibly quickly. Seriously, my contact emailed me to say “Your order is scheduled to ship in two days,” and I was all, “My order is already at my house!” Sorcery. And I appreciate that their products are made in the USA with renewable resources. But mostly, I’m really pleased with the quality. Canvas tends to absorb ink and if not printed well, it can leave an image looking a bit dull. So I was really happy with the quality of the print and that my photo was still vibrant.
(Plus, they include the hanging equipment which is nice because nothing is worse than going to hang a picture and finding it has nothing to hang it with.)
And now you can check Mother’s Day gifts off your list! (You’re welcome, man that I’m married to.)
Like this post? Pin it! Because friends don’t let friends pay full price for photo canvases, y’all 😉 Also for some reason my camera focused on the chair and not the canvas here. But I didn’t reshoot it on account of how my baby was climbing on my back. This is possibly the reason for the misfocus. #Momlife
