Our First Family Photography Session as a FAMILY of EIGHT!!!

This post is sponsored. All opinions are my own.

I cannot tell you just how excited I was to take our first, professionally done, family portrait as an official family of EIGHT!!!! We waited two years before we could say officially that they were ours! I cannot tell you how PROUD I am of my family! 

Our adoption finalized this past summer while we were in the process of moving, so we were unable to do an official family portrait then. However, now that the holidays are right around the corner, I knew I HAD to schedule a photography session for our family portraits! 

Not only do I want to be able to pass out the annual family Christmas Photo Greeting Card, but I wanted to give some unique photo gifts to the grandparents for Christmas! 

I have to admit I was a little nervous about taking all six children for a photo session! Having been a studio photographer when I was in high school, I know that children can sometimes be very uncooperative and unpredictable for photos. Plus, I am a mom. I know my kids. They love to surprise me with all kinds of crazy! Hahahaha!

When we arrived at Portrait Innovations, I was immediately put at ease. They had a nice and open waiting area with toys for the children to play with while waiting. There was plenty of seating and they hadn’t overbooked themselves. 

Our photographer spoke with me about what was most important to me during the family photo session. She asked if we wished to add our own props or change clothes during our session and made a few suggestions for backgrounds as well. 

When she brought in our family to begin taking pictures, she quickly evaluated the nervousness from my youngest three and made them at ease by being a little silly. They loved her jokes and funny antics! 

It was obvious that all of the photographers at the studio had been trained in the newest posing and shooting techniques. We did some classic poses like I wanted, but we had fun while she snapped pictures from different angles and one of my favorites is this one where we all are being a little silly and Jimmy is looking RIGHT at the camera! He cracks me up!

Our session did not feel rushed or too long. It was perfect! We went back to the waiting room and before we had a chance to turn on youtube to entertain the kids… Our photographer had us coming to her desk to go through our photography session photos! 

We compared each photo and chose our favorites. There were so many we loved! I was thrilled when our photographer told us we could have all of our favorite pictures on a CD to take home! 

Portrait Innovations specializes in giving customers a customized portrait studio experience with creative options for portraits, personalized gifts and keepsakes. These make the perfect gifts and of course, I HAD to have a coffee mug for myself! Guests can receive a free $25 gift mug or ornament with 42 Portrait Package for only $14.99 – special offer ends November 20.  

I did a little happy dance when I was able to pick up my pictures TWENTY minutes after we placed our order!!! Can’t beat that wait time!

Let me recommend you get your pictures done for the holidays EARLY!!! Don’t wait last minute. Find a Portrait Innovations close to you HERE.

Let me be the first to wish you a Merry Christmas from our family and thank you for your support through our adoption! You are the most amazing readers and I am so thankful to call you friends!

Happy Holidays!
Keikilani