Old Christmas photos | for generating smiles :)

One thing I always end up doing around the holidays is digging out our old family photos that we used for each years Christmas card. Taking a group picture is something we've done ever since we had Ellie, and as each year goes by and another photo (and another baby) is added to the pile, it makes it all the more fun to compare how much we've changed. I was giggling so hard at the kiddos faces and the memories behind each session, and I thought I'd take one for the team and share them with you for your personal entertainment.haha So here we go!

- 2010 - 

Our first family Christmas card in 2010, with the matching maroon and the awkward grins. I like to think I've learned a tiny bit about makeup since then, and angles, and a few other things.haha We decided to do our first Christmas picture after we had Ellie since it really felt like we had a family at that point. Now I wish Martin and I had taken pictures together before then, but that's okay:) Look at that face! Ellie was about 8 months old and such a sweetheart.

- 2011 - 

In 2011 we decided to try for formal photos in our own living room. It was also the first year we tried taking our own pictures with a tripod, and getting the girls to look at the camera was such a task, but I was pretty proud of the result:) Ellie was 1 1/2 years old about, and Sophie was 7 months.

- 2012 - 

In 2012 I knew that I wanted to venture out in the nicer weather with the whole family, and we had some great luck again with everyone at least looking in the same direction. John was only a few months old and we were so on top of the world happy. My tripod almost blew over onto the sidewalk though I remember and nearly scared me to death! Ellie was 2 1/2, Sophie was 1 1/2, and John was 6 months old.

- 2013 - 

For our 2013 picture, I'd just given birth to Lydia a week or so before we shot, so I wasn't in a place where we could get super creative with them. We decided to do a repeat of our own antique sofa and festive outfits of two years earlier. And I'm so glad that I didn't back out, which I really felt like doing! haha Ellie was 3 1/2, Sophie 2 1/2, John was nearly 1 1/2, and as I said Lydia was about a week old. 

- 2014 - 

Last year we were thrilled to do something really out of the ordinary for us and finally had our pictures taken professionally. Best decision ever! It's the best money you'll ever spend and I can't recommend it enough. Also being shot by Justin was such a dream come true, as I've always looked up to him as such an amazing fine art photographer and artist, and a great friend. Finding his photos online were the reason I'd gotten into photography in the first place, and it was definitely checking off a big goal to have him shoot our family. We shot those at the end of August, and Eleanor was 4, Sophia 3, John 2, and Lydia was 10 months. There are many more in the group that show off everyones faces better, but I just loved this picture the most and so we went with it for our card:)

Phew, and that's it! On Christmas day I'll share a bunch of the pictures of the whole family (because the holidays to us are about family and only family) and I can't wait to see what you think! Again I can't stress enough that you get some professional photos done of you and your tribe, and this is really a great time to do it if you've been putting it off for a while, that way you'll be reminded to get them done again when December 2016 rolls around! *shudders* Sorry that was mean.haha

Anyways,  stay tuned for The Meyers Family 2015 pics, and I'll see you back here tomorrow:)