One of my personal goals each time we go to the beach is to take some family photos. I have been known to wake up at the crack of dawn, throw on pajama pants and flip flops and take my littlest babe out to a wide open sandy spot and figure out a way to capture them in all that beauty. I’ve never done that at home….go fi
Last year when we went to Jekyll Island, we hit up Driftwood Beach (you can see that post here) and I wasn’t prepared for the epic scenery. I mean…if you have been there you understand. It’s like a different planet. It’s alien. It’s crazy. It’s like God’s art show with wood and sand and water. I honestly expected to see a Decepticon or something because it feels surreal. So this year, I was hyped up to make sure I was completely prepared and ready. That beach is so breathtaking that I wanted to capture our time there and frame it for our house. I checked the tide charts and accounted for extra time for taking photos and exploring. Because Driftwood Beach requires a chunk of time for good ole fashioned tree climbing and exploration. And yes, we let the boys climb….we are living on the edge y’all.
Whenever we do family photos, we set up a tripod and the camera and hope for the best. This time, I was really happy that we were able to snag such a cute photo….everyone looking was a bonus 🙂
TIP – Do your biggest family photos first if you decide to DIY pictures. Set up your tripod and use a remote – it makes it way easier! Here is a list of equipment we use.
After the family photo, I do individual pics – I think these might be framed later for our living room. Max is seriously a camera hog. He loves being in photos, looking at photos of himself and naturally smiles. It’s adorable….except when you are trying to get a photo of someone else. #photobombbaby
TIP – Take photos of the activities both close up and far away. The things we do are a big part of the ‘story’ of your family and they can capture things that are more personal….like this one of LJ who insisted that he climb….I came around the edge and saw his progress and he was so proud of how ‘high in the sky’ he was 🙂
TIP – Remember to take close ups of things that are fun…this helps especially for scrapbooking or family photo books! It can be anything typical of that adventure.
Will does this squinty eye smile thing now and sometimes it drives me batty because it’s not his ‘happy’ face. But then I have to remind myself that it’s his version of being gentle and sweet and I really love that side of him. It’s also hard not to be excited about those freckles.
This one looks other-world to me. That foreground is mud. It was slick and thick and the boys LOVED it. Do you see what I mean about looking like it’s from another planet?
And this is so typical….the boys do whatever Jeremy does. He climbs…they climb. He steps in a puddle….they are right behind him. And I love how Weston looks like a little Mowgli here.
I asked for one with all the boys and this was such a better depiction than the posed versions. I love that my boys are independent and sweet and adventurous and usually with dirty knees and saggy pants. One day I will look back and see all the little details of this photo….the swollen pregnancy knees and the way Weston’s fingers dragged through the mud and the way Will leans in close and I will probably just LOSE it. Like ugly cry in the hands of Motherhood. I can’t believe how big they are.
LJ said he was searching for sea turtles 🙂
And Weston literally gave me the most patience EVER to get this photo. The light was changing so fast that I had a hard time with getting the right exposure….his fair skin just blended right into that driftwood or was overtaken with golden sunlight. Finally I got it and I was so happy that he let me….this might be one of his sweetest smiles in a photo ever 🙂
TIP – Always do something fun for kids. It can be jumping, spinning, screaming, splashing, WHATEVER….just remember that if the littlest ones in your photoshoot are unhappy….everyone is unhappy 🙂
While the boys were playing, I asked Jeremy to snag a few pics of this pregnancy. It’s amazing how big I look already….definitely ‘maternal’ with that bump! I guess my body is like “OH RIGHT….I know this!” Oh and here is the link to my top. It’s a maternity must have!
And this was one of Jeremy’s and my own favorites….I’m actually watching the boys make ‘sand balls’.
This was the boys waiting for simon says. So CA-UTTTE!!!!
This shot of me and Jeremy is a rare winner! I already plan to print it out for our bedroom!
TIP – Don’t forget just a photo of mom and dad! You may feel insecure or not in the shape of your life or your hair isn’t cute enough….but you will NEVER look like this again. My mom told me that. She said get in the photo because one day you will look back and all those albums of people won’t have you in it!
I MEAN….Someone just send me my things. I want to be right here.
And holy crap my kids are so cute! Also I’m fairly sure Jeremy was making farting noises.
TIP – Take photos coming and going. They hold so much emotion and can trigger so many memories.
I asked the boys to give a brother a hug. Obviously the babies are the favorites here. It’s funny because I can always count on Weston to hug LJ and Will to hug Max. It’s like their little peas in a pod. I hope one day they realize how dang lucky they are to have each other.
And how lucky I am to have that man and to be welcoming a sweet girl into the mix. I mean….this adventure is crazy….we fight….this pregnancy is rough physically….but I am just the luckiest. THE. LUCKIEST.
And I am loving these beach maternity shots – my actual first ever maternity ones with the beach! Awesome huh!? I definitely want to do another shoot later in the pregnancy (I usually try to squeeze in two) but this one would be hard to beat! I mean….that driftwood root system?! Yeah…how could you possibly top that?! I hope these tips were helpful and I would love to see your family photos if you decide to DIY them. There are so many opportunities to try it if you are nervous….maybe just do it on a random day at your house….you know, capturing the every day moments. Some of those are the most treasured items – and the cherry on top is they only require a small amount of effort and cost nothing!
Love it Katie! You are so lucky and I’m glad you feel it and know it. You have beautiful healthy children and family. I feel the same. We are blessed! And we should never hold back from saying it and it’s never bragging. Hey, at least we acknowledge it and don’t take it for granted! 🙂 Go you!
All the amazing heart eyes for these photos. Such a beautiful family! And I loved this, “You may feel insecure or not in the shape of your life or your hair isn’t cute enough….but you will NEVER look like this again. ”
I’ll try to remember that..I’m the first to jump out of photos for insecurities, but as a result, we have zero documentation of my hubby and I’s 11 years together. I need to get over it already!
LOVE this post, Katie! We’ll be taking a family beach vacation next month to North Carolina (it’ll be my girls’ [5 and 3 years old] first time at the beach!) and I. CANNOT. WAIT. Thanks so much for the photography tips!
Seriously gorgeous photos
Oh my word! Your hair!!! It is so very fabulous! If I had hair like that, I would be flipping it around all the time. You look great!
You are just radiant, and your family is beautiful.
I can see the love you all have for each other.
Those are great family photos! My kids make the weirdest faces for pictures (ages 5 and 3). I love your photo tips though and may have to give a family photo shoot another try.
Your pictures turned out beautiful! Good tips on how to get people to cooperate. 🙂
“Welcoming a sweet girl”!!!!!! Awww I’m so excited for you & your family! I’ve been stalking your blog to see when you were going to reveal it to us (I like how you just casually mentioned it …. you’re a sneaky one) 🙂 What a fun, new, beautiful journey for you all.
The pic of the kids on the driftwood is lovely.
Such a beautiful and blessed family!!!
Katie,
I know you must get a zillion “they’re all boys comments…” and I’ve probably thought it before but today when I saw these shots of all four of them my first thought was “wow, that must be so much fun.” They are beautiful and it sounds like you all have awesome kids. How amazing is our God, making all these amazing, unique kids that challenge and grow us and melt our hearts. You are one blessed mama!
Love, love, loved this post! Your fam is just gorgeous! I try so hard to get print worthy photos of my son but he is the most stubborn little guy! I’m hoping by two we can use a bit of bribery for some good snaps. What I wouldn’t give for just one non-blurry, happy, not-reaching-out-for-my-camera snap each time I try!
You and Jeremy are an inspiration, and I am so happy for you all! This little Bower Girl doesn’t know how well she did, picking the family she has <3
Such beautiful photos Bowers!
My favorite quote of this post though is your Mom’s, “My mom told me that. She said get in the photo because one day you will look back and all those albums of people won’t have you in it!”
As the one who is always behind the camera, THIS IS SO TRUE!!!
Gorgeous photos of everyone!
OMG I’ve taken a break from the blog world for a bit and coming back to these beautiful photos makes my day! You two make some ADORABLE little humans!!!
Yes! I think we all feel the same. We all feel like that. And I am right there with you 🙂
xo – kb
How amazing is our God! So creative and makes these children so beautiful and different and unique and special.
xo – kb
That’s my Weston! He is a fast little bugger….always on the move and I know exactly how you feel. If it’s any comfort, it does get a little easier once they hit around four 🙂
xo – kb
They revealed ages ago. There’s a gif thingo with crazy string in pink 😉
Such great pictures!!
These are all beautiful. I love the fact your boys have such different personalities, look so different yet there is a just enough familiar about them that you know they belong together. Y’all do a great job of embracing their uniqueness. My favorite is the look on Weston’s face during the ‘brother hug’. You can see the love; what a treasure. Honestly though, I am still trying to get my head around a girl 🙂 Although I suspect she will have no problem keeping up with the boys; I’m thinking she will love bugs and dinosaurs and dolls with equal fierceness. God is good and His plans are perfect.
AHHHH! I cant even! These pictures turned out so so good! Your sweet family is just wonderful! Thank you for sharing!!! xo
Hi Katie, such a gorgeous post! I just found out we’re expecting number two and I am so grateful for your posts on the fantastic clothes you wear when you’re pregnant! I hope this isn’t too personal, but I LOVE that ASOS shirt you’re wearing, but… would you share with us your strapless bra? I have such a hard time finding a good one that supports well when I’m pregnant. Thank you so much as always! Happy almost weekend.
Beautiful! These are so great and I appreciate the tips. I’m hoping our next family photo shoot can be a little bit happier.
These photos are gorgeous, the backgrounds breathtaking. The pics of you with the sun on your beautiful hair are amazing. Thanx for sharing these and your Mom’s wise words.
She had revealed it in a previous post. https://www.bowerpowerblog.com/2017/04/silly-gender-reveal/
Beautiful Family…. beautiful photos… y’all are too cute!!
Any tips on planning outfits for family photo shoots? I like how your outfits all “go” but aren’t matchup-matchy. Thanks!
Beautiful pictures and a beautiful family. I also like that everyone is coordinating but in simple comfortable clothes.
Katie, you are the most beautiful woman!!! and you have the most beautiful family 🙂
These are AHHHHHH-MAZING!!!! And I don’t know if you noticed or not, but it totally looks like a little heart shape in the tree in between you & Jeremy! So totally adorable and especially fitting!!! I see it in more of the photos now, so I’d bet you noticed it to! Such a clever photo trick! Cue the heart emojis! Thank you for all the awesome tips too! I love posts like this! Such a beautiful family!
What a sweet, sweet post, Katie! Love eyes! Thank you for sharing your beautiful family and those tips. Especially the one about getting my picture taken. I need to do that more often…
You guys are so photogenic. All the pictures are frame worthy. Meanwhile in my family… we are not photogenic – none of us. Ha, ha! Even when we think we’re looking good and natural and for sure we took a nice picture this time -nope. The camera does not love us. We’ve decided we just look better in person. Lol!
These are beautiful Katie 🙂 What a beautiful spot to take photos of a beautiful family. I can see these all being beautiful on big canvases in your home! xoxo ERIN
I love all the pictures of your boys. They are so cute. Can’t wait for that little girl. She will really complete your family. Love your post.
I didn’t see that! So cute!
xo – kb
That photo of you in profile is stunning!
Your photos are amazing! You all look gorgeous!
Katie, that awesome photo of you and Jeremy…you look JUST LIKE your mom! Cant wait to hear about a little girl nursery from you!
Damn Gina! THAT HAIR. These pictures are just fantastic. So cute, and everyone looks like they are having so much fun. And Westerns face as he’s hugging LJ…LOVE.
Just a few days later, my cousin got married in front of the tree that Jeremy and the boys are climbing on (the one where Weston looks like a mowgli). What a beautiful piece of our world that is!
That’s incredible! What an amazing spot to get married!
xo – kb
Great post, Katie!! Great post.
I may have missed it… but did you take a tripod?
Oh yes. We always take a tripod 🙂
xo – kb