Stress-free Family Pictures: JCPenney Portraits Saves the Day!

Alamo City Moms Blog has partnered with JCPenney to bring our readers information about their new photography sessions.

We all know family picture day is not for the weak at heart. Add in the pressure of a maternity shoot, and you might as well stop before you start. Why is this always such a terrifying feat for me? Because, much to my chagrin, I’m the one in charge of breaking the news to my family that they must participate, coordinate outfits (but not too matchy), and schedule the photo shoot while taking into consideration naps, meal time, AND toddler mood changes. You must feed the scary children enough food to not make them HANGRY, but not too much that I can’t bribe them during the shoot. It’s a dance that makes me tired just thinking about it. Yet, we continue to push the limits and get pictures done each year.

The always desired but rarely acquired “all smiles” photo win!

So the pressure was on when I realized I hadn’t taken maternity pictures of our third and FINAL baby, just weeks before delivery. Lucky for me, JCPenney Portraits made this happen for my family in a timely, stress-free manner from the very first phone call. Because of the new outdoor shoot option at several JCPenney Portrait studios, I was able to schedule our 30-minute session without stress about where the perfect location would be, and I got great, shaded photographs of my family outside of the regular studio environment. Plus, there were multiple photographers on site to get all the shots of my very active family.

Our photographers met us at McAllister Park on our chosen weekend date in a shaded and beautiful area of the park that they had already scoped out before our arrival. They were professional, patient (big deal with a five- and two-year-old), and most importantly, snapped the pictures QUICKLY! They were able to get smiles out of my crew that I never seem fast enough to capture—all in 30 minutes! We were able to bring any props we wanted (sonogram pictures, ribbon for the belly, etc.), and they brought stools and blankets to make us more comfortable. Kids stayed happy, and the photographers were incredibly kind and aware of lighting issues that I wouldn’t have had a clue about! That’s a definite mom win, and now our newest family addition won’t feel as neglected when he realizes I never bought him a baby book. (Ahem, #thirdchildproblems.)

They even managed to throw in some silly shots, just to keep the kiddos laughing and involved! (Being 37 weeks preggo, however…no surprise to any of us!) 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sweet third child, there you are. Documented and all!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Darling, smiling kiddos…check! (Pay no attention to the the donut bribe behind the camera!) 

Thank you, JCPenney Portraits, for capturing my little family so perfectly! Creating forever memories has never been so stress-free! 

 

Erin
Erin is a born and raised San Antonio native. She is a proud graduate of Southwestern University, St.Mary's University and Texas Tech University. After graduate school, she married the love of her life and moved back to to town to be near both sides of their families. Together, they are attempting to raise three crazy humans: Chloe- 2011, Connor- 2014, and Charlie 2017 who make life fun, happy and hard. Erin is a marriage and family therapist and a contributor and sales coordinator for ACM. She is a lover of all things involving food, music, sarcasm and wine. And love. There must be lots of love. You can find her on Instagram at Instagram Favorite Restaurant: Nonna Osteria Favorite Landmark: Majestic Theatre Favorite San Antonio Tradition: Fiesta Arts Fair