A few weeks ago, I decided we needed an updated family picture. Because I’m an incredibly patient person, I thought we would go ahead and take them that very night.

Except the forecast was calling for rain.

After dinner, I glanced outside, noticed there was zero rain, and suggested we attempt family pics. Because usually I get stressed out about outfits and such during picture moments, Jonathan was somewhat surprised. “Right now?”

“Sure, I’ll just change the kids’ shirts.”

And so we went to a plain brick wall, set up the camera + tripod, and snapped away. Now, if you’re impatient like me and decide you need new family picture tonight, here are 4 tips on how to take your own family pics —->

1. Think about what you’re wearing. But don’t over-think it.

I’m the queen of over-thinking things. The queen, I tell you. Well, now that I think about it, I may only be a duke or something, because I’m pretty sure there are some things I don’t think about enough. Anyway, here’s the thing about group pictures: you want people to be focused on the faces in the pic. If you’re all wearing crazy patterns, the first thing your eye is going to look at will be the clothes, not the faces. Solid colors are awesome. You can all wear the same color, you can wear 2 different colors, or you can wear all different colors like we happened to do in ours. There is some amazing inspiration on Pinterest if you need a springboard to get you started!

2. Don’t stress before the pics. Or during. Or after.

Hey moms? this one’s for you. Because I’m a Mom – and this one’s for me too. Even if you don’t take your own pictures, please – please – don’t stress out. If you’re stressed before the pictures, guess who else is going to be stressed? Everyone. Kids, husband, dog. Even the tripod is gonna freeze up. And you know how the picture is going to look, right? Stressed. And you know what everyone’s response is going to be the next time you suggest taking a family picture? Nooooooo!! So don’t stress out. Have fun with it and let the moments of crying hysteria {especially if you’re shooting with littles} go down in the family history book.

3. Laugh.

It’s pretty easy to have a fake smile – especially when you’re sitting there for 5 seconds waiting for the auto-timer to go off on your camera. I mean, if the smile wasn’t fake at 2 seconds, it’s for sure going to be stale by the time 5 seconds roll on by. So here’s what you do…laugh. Not an out of control laugh {as evidenced by my daughter}, but just a smile, laugh-through-your-teeth kinda laugh. It helps everyone keep smiling while you wait for the camera to go off. Plus it’s just kind of ridiculously funny, you feel semi-stupid laughing at nothing, and that usually makes me laugh for real.

Also, I usually set the auto-timer on my camera to go off and take 5 or 6 pictures at a time. That way, you get a better selection of shots to choose from. Ideally. Notice the pictures below…all taken within the space of approximately 1.8 seconds. My daughter has skillz.

4. Don’t shoot for perfection.

I know. I do it too. I love perfect family photos. They’re just so…perfect. But some of my fave pics are the ones we’ve caught that perfectly capture the kids’ personalities – messy clothes, out of control arm movements, and all. Learn to embrace the imperfections in the pictures, because let’s face it – that’s what we generally are anyway, right? Imperfect, messy, and beautiful. So, frame that baby and enjoy all the personality you’ve just brought to your home.

Happy picture-taking & memory-making!