We're surrounded by so much talent here in our Los Angeles creative community, and I feel so lucky that we recently had a chance to take some new family photos with our friend, Katherine Rose. Katherine photographed our maternity photos, Coco's birth announcement, and some of our earliest family photos. We haven't seen her since Coco was a month old so it was fun to catch up while hanging in our neighborhood and taking some photos with our kids.
We usually take photos twice a year, and I've learned to keep the location and the setting really simple. We kind of have an on-going bougainvillea theme with Katherine, so I simply find a not-too-busy street with a beautiful, lush area of greenery. And we walk, play with the kids, and let her capture us as we are. We rarely get a photo where everyone is looking at the camera, but I've learned the less perfect the expressions, the better. It's about the simple moments and seeing our personalities shine through that always make these photos so special.
Thanks again to Katherine for spending the morning with us and always capturing my family so beautifully!
{Our outfits: My skirt by Whit NY and shoes by Zuzii, Ruby's romper by Crew & Lu and shoes by Zuzii, Coco's romper by Duchess & Lion (past season) and shoes by Pons, Bob's shirt and pants by Apolis and tie by Ben Sherman (past season).}
Such a beautiful family!! Great photos
your babies are just the cutest!
hi joy:
do you shop for clothes mostly on-line, in shops or through a personal shopper? just curious as you and your liftle sweeties have such a wide variety of clothes. where do you find time? love all the patterns and would love to have your skirt to hang on the wall as art. such great choice of colors in those stripes! love the informality of your family photos. best wishes from your hometown.
Hi Jilly!
Mostly online! These days with shipping/return policies being so good, it’s easier for me to order and then return if things don’t work out. Since I’m in the social media world, I find out about a lot of indie designers (esp for kids stuff) on social media..esp. IG!
Joy
makes a lot of sense. so easy + who doesn’t love to receive packages! thanks for answering my query.
So much sweetness!!
Joy, your family is beautiful!
These photos are so fun and I love how your personalities shine through, which is something missing from most standard “stand in a group and smile at the camera” family photos.
I’ve never had family photos taken before, other than touristy shots taken by a passer by at various tourist locations. I always try to ask a passerby with a decent camera (as I figure they know what they’re doing) but we almost always end up with someone’s head or feet cut off, or half the family being out of focus! I think we need to do something like this 🙂
Hi joy, your photos are beautiful and full of life! Thanks for sharing. 😉
Your girls are absolutely adorable!! Loved the pictures!
Hi Sally,
I would definitely recommend taking them once a year if you can! It’s just a nice way to have everyone in a photo and someone who has actual photography skill capture you. I know that I am in an extra special situation because I have a lot of friends who are photographers so it’s a bit easier for us to arrange it, but family sessions with most photographers are an hour max and prob not as pricy as you would think. Plus, you can get your family holiday card and great photos to print and frame for your family as gifts out of it!
Joy
Those are lovely photos, Ms. Joy. Looks like you’re all having a great time ! 🙂
Hi Joy! You have such a cute sense of style with an even cuter family. May I ask where your necklace is from? Thank you!
Thanks Nina!
My necklace is by Emily Green:
http://www.emilygreen.net/
Joy
I actually have a lot of photographer friends too so I have no excuse! Ha! I’m usually the one behind the camera myself so I have tons of photos of the kids but never think to get my husband and I in them too.
I sometimes feel like it’s a cultural thing too. I’m Australian (but living in California) and most of my friends and family back home don’t have family photos taken either. And if they do, they’re usually just of the kids! Many of my friends here, on the other hand, have annual family photos taken. My Australian friends tend to just include photos of their kids on their Christmas cards and my American friends are more likely to include the whole family. It’s funny how culturally we’re so similar yet there are these little differences 🙂 I think I need to embrace the American approach and get the whole family in front of the camera for once 🙂
Yes! #momstaysinthepicture 😉
Your kids want to look back at photos with you in them, too! ;P
Joy
Ahhh I love all the photos!
Will surely have one in the future!
Lovely photos and lovely skirt!
Shruthi
http;//nyambura.co
Y’all are the cutest! Love love love all of these pictures
// http://lifeplusbe.com/
What a gorgeous, gorgeous family! Joy, your skirt on those steps is pure sculpture. And I love that Bob puts on the clothes he’s told to wear and happily joins his three girls for photo fun. What a guy!
You have a lovely family. Your babies are so cute!
So fun and playful and I have the same goal of at least once a year. I wish every parent would really understand the value of being in the photos and you are right to reference #momstaysinthepicture to the commenter above! That article was a life changer for me. Lately feeling my post baby weight feels like it is here to stay and baby hairs growing out of control, but I’m reminded, my kids won’t ever care 😉 xoxo Love these photos and I’ve always been a fan of her composition, she nailed emotion and all of it!
These photographs are just so precious. You must be a proud mama – truly!
Wonderful, natural photos, it’s always better to go outside than to take in a studio.
Greetings Kathrin
Oh my gosh, your family look so, so adorable! There’s such joy in these photos and I’m sure you’ll cherish them for years :).
Nicky xx | http://www.curious-journeying.com
hi joy!
your family pictures are beautiful and your stress free philosophy with how you go about taking pictures ks right on the money! would you mind going through your thought process while picking out your outfits? i have just started hunting for things for my family to wear for our pictures and i need helping pulling off the “we arent clashing but we are also all not wearing the same polo shirt”‘ vibe. i really appreciate your use of patterns but not letting it get too busy!!!!
thank you!
alex
Hi Alex!
Thanks! I actually did a post about picking outfits that hopefully will help you!
http://ohjoy.blogs.com/my_weblog/2015/11/how-to-choose-outfits-for-family-photos.html
Joy
thank you!!! ….i was M.I.A. in 2015 due to #twoyearoldproblems.
also, thank you for responding! it is kind of you to take the time.
alex
Oh what a gorgeous family you are! Beautiful photos.
I love these! Can I ask where they are taken?