Picture Perfect

Beyond the cascade of vibrant colored leaves and the array of pumpkins on display from porches to gas stations, there is another, unmistakable, sign of fall. It starts out small, with a brightly colored flyer announcing the upcoming School Picture Day. Within weeks, a large envelope is sent home with all the information you need to make an informed decision regarding this annual event.

As you make your selection, ranging from 'Premium Plus' to 'Value Plus', you'll feel the stress fade away, knowing the worst is behind you. Then you realize...you still need to organize the Family Christmas photo!

I am very familiar with this scenario. It has played out in my family more years than I'd like to admit. While I prefer candid snapshots to the planned portrait, I succumbed to the pressure of creating a photographic masterpiece, year after year. Fall is the perfect backdrop for family photos. Unfortunately, families aren't perfect. They are a work in progress. Despite having my husband's support, wrangling three little children into a random, outdoor setting while wearing quasi-matching outfits was a daunting task.

To be honest, this annual routine did not get easier as our children got older. With time, they began to hone their tactics of resistance. At one point, our middle son announced that he "forgot how to smile", following an hour of failed attempts to capture the perfect image. In addition to his temporary amnesia, all eyes were not on the camera. Despite my best efforts, our photographic masterpiece continued to allude us.

That all changed when I decided to take a whole new approach to our annual family photo. This plan not only solved our "forgotten smile" issues, but it masked our lack of focus, as well.

Our Family Christmas Photo

This strategy did more than just conceal our wandering eyes. It guaranteed that we would all remember how to smile. It worked! When I pulled out the disguises that day, my entire family broke out in laughter. After all those years, we finally had our masterpiece.

While perfection still alludes us, this photo is a reminder to laugh along the way.