Any time I mention family pictures or take pictures for the blog, my husband moans, and groans. I know a lot of other husbands are the same way and even some wives. With family picture season coming up and everyone getting ready to take their annual photos for Christmas cards, I want to help you (and your husband) out! These tips will help you make family pictures painless for your husband, and everyone a lot happier!
Even though I don’t understand the pain that my husband experiences when taking pictures. I want to do everything I can to make him feel more comfortable during family pictures because it’s really important to me to have them taken annually. This year, and every year for the rest of your lives together, I hope pictures are less stressful and more enjoyable for the entire family!
Your husband might not be completely on board with taking pictures as a family or a couple. But I bet he’d be willing to compromise so that he’s a little more onboard than not. You might compromise on the place where you’ll be taking pictures or the clothes that are worn. Another idea might be to join them in an activity they love without complaint if they willingly participate in family pictures.
My husband wears golf polos or t-shirts the majority of the time. When we take pictures, I pick a nicer-looking golf polo that matches the rest of our outfits and let him wear that. If we’re taking dressier pictures, I make his dress more on the casual side. And pick out clothes he already owns and wears often. If you choose to purchase new outfits for the entire family, make sure it’s something that you know your husband will wear on a regular basis after pictures are over. Your husband will be happier during pictures if he doesn’t feel uncomfortable in the clothes he is wearing. And he’ll most likely resent the process less.
We’ve been taking photos for the blog monthly for a few years. During that time, I’ve learned that my husband is a lot less grumpy about being in pictures depending on when they are scheduled. If he has to take pictures on his day off work, he’s more verbal about his dislike of the activity. If we grab some quick pictures on a day when he’s worked after he’s had time to wind down, and when he doesn’t have anything else planned, he’s more willing to join us.
As you’re talking with your photographer about possible dates and times that work for everyone, including your husband in the discussion. Make sure he knows that you want it to be a convenient time for him. And you don’t want to add any stress to his day. Or get in the way of something that he would have planned instead of family pictures. Within reason of course, because I know that my husband could come up with a lot of things he’d “need” to do instead of family pictures if we let him.
Husbands (and kids) don’t want to stay and pose for pictures for an entire hour. The faster you can get your pictures done, the happier everyone will be. Go into your session with a list of the poses that are most important to you to get. (Entire family, kids alone, mom and dad alone, each parent with the kids, etc.). Once you’re there, get the pictures taken and call it quits! The longer your family picture session goes, the grumpier everyone will be.
In addition to involving your husband in the planning, don’t spring pictures on him. Let him know when they will be, add it to the calendar, and give them a reminder as the date gets closer. Don’t make family pictures a surprise! Give your spouse time to get used to the idea and shift his mindset about the pictures.
You see people rewarding their kids for cooperating during family pictures, why not treat your husband afterward as well? Go out for a special dinner or dessert as a family. As I mentioned in the first tip, you can compromise and do something your husband loves for date night after he joins in on family or couple photos.
Similar to the idea of a reward, make a deal with your spouse in exchange for their participation in family photos. Recognize that for the spouse who really dislikes those photo sessions, it’s a big sacrifice to join in, pose, and smile throughout the session. Are you willing to sacrifice as well? This could be joining your husband in an activity, watching a movie, or eating at a restaurant you won’t really join them in. Don’t just make an offer in hopes that the photoshoot will be somewhat bearable for them. Make an offer they can’t refuse, that they will feel is a more than fair exchange.
Family pictures and couple pictures are really important to me to have taken every year. I want to capture our family in every stage so we have those pictures to look back on and remember. They’re a non-negotiable for me, but my husband couldn’t care less about them. I know that it’s important for us to meet in the middle. And since I’m not willing to nix the sessions altogether. I do my best to make them as pleasant for him as possible. These tips to make family pictures painless for your husband have helped our marriage, I hope they help yours as well!
This post was part of a collaboration with our favorite photographer, Sadie Banks! Click here to head to her blog and read her post titled, ‘Painless Photos for the Whole Family! She’s made our family photo and blog photo experience a good one. Joe wouldn’t ever admit it, but he sincerely smiles and laughs during our photo sessions and we have a lot of fun!
