Once a year, I take about 45 minutes with my kids, and I become this biggest “Bribing Bartering Momma” you’ve ever seen. My mission: The Family Christmas Card Photo.

My first decision, nix the “family” dynamic of the photo. Way too hard to get the kids, Brian and I all looking “naturally good” in one shot. Maybe when they’re twelve we’ll try it again. But I don’t dare attempt this when I still have one under three.

Next move, I line up three different snacks for my bribes.

Bribe Number One: Cheerios. I start with the cheerios to loosen them up. Cheerios are familiar, relaxing, the sure thing. I take a couple shots of them playing together while snacking on their cheerios as they get reacquainted with the camera.

But, the shot I want for Christmas this year is not of them playing with their backs to me. Instead I want a photo of them together….sitting together. They are NOT impressed with this change in direction!

Next move, getting them to sit in a chair together. They don’t like being touched by the other one so this is a small challenge.

In less than 30 seconds, we go from “Don’t touch me!” to I want to kiss you and bite you…

This Calls for Bribe Number Two…their gummy vitamins! You know the ones I’m talking about. Supposedly these things are vitamins even though they’re covered with sugar. Our kids love them, so it works for me!

I take a few shots of them in the chair together, but I can’t seem to get them both looking good at the same time.

All I want is for them to be looking in the camera together. ‘Is this too much for a mother to ask?’ This is where my desperation grows, and I get a bit Nazi/Freak like.

This calls for Bribe Number Three…eggnog. I look Blaze right in the eyes, and I say, “Blazey, do you want some yummy eggnog?” He lights up for a second, and I shoot. Now he’s mad because I asked him a question and left him hanging while I shot more photos. “Blazey, momma will give you some yummy eggnog if you sit with sissy for five more photos. Can you do that? It’s the “yummy” eggnog.” His sister is salivating next to him, and she’s sold. “C’mon Blaze! Have a good attitude so we can get back inside and drink eggnog,” argues Pascaline. And for whatever reason he buys it!

In the end, I decide against this shot for our Christmas card. Brian asks me why. “They look too perfect. Too cutsie looking.” He shakes his head and makes a wise move…leaves the room.

After our Christmas cards go out I’ll post what this Nazi/freak momma ended up going with for our final pick! You’ll get a kick out of it since you witnessed the whole process!

BTW, Blazey got his eggnog!

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Exercise for “Bribing Your Kids for a Christmas Photo!”

1. Dress the kids up warm and get outside. I love the wool coats, hats, gloves, scarves, you name it for the Christmas Family Photo. The kids are probably cabin feverish with this crazy weather so load them up with a cheerio snack, and let them get some cold air in their lungs (seems to calm them down). Plus, you can’t go wrong with the natural lighting!

2. After a couple shots, move the kids to a chair. Whenever I’m taking shots of a couple children at one time, I like to have them sit. Keeping their bottoms stationary keeps all their wiggles at bay.

3. Be prepared for them to hate this whole thing. That’s when you break out Bribe Number Two! Pick a simple bribe that isn’t messy (stay away from cookies or granola bars that get sticky). Keep it a simple, novel snack item, something they can’t have every day or any time of day. Vitamin gummy bears twice in one day was a HIT with these two. (It’s always the little things!)

4. Focus on trying to get them both looking in the direction of the camera. Have a friend or spouse snap their fingers or jingle their keys right above the hood of your lense. Here are some more tips on having someone help you!

5. Shoot away! When they start to meltdown, bring out the last attempt, Bribe Number Three! My kids don’t usually buy a fourth bribe, so I make that last one count. And I tell them “five more shots” but of course I have my camera setting on multiple shots, so with every time I hold the shutter down I get at least five shots. (i guess that makes it more like 25 more shots …so bad!)

6. Be okay with not having all of you in the shot if your little ones are under four. I’ve done so many family portrait sessions, and it’s so hard for children to look right in the camera when every one else is. I think it’s better to capture them, keep them from getting super stressed, and let go of people seeing you in the shot for a few more years (just my opinion).

7. Last, but most important, hang in there. Look for those quick moments of joy. Even though the kids were NOT into this photo session with mom, there was this brief moment where they got really goofy. I ended up picking one of those for our Christmas photo. The silly joy on their faces makes me think of this season in their life. Yes, they fight. Yes, they throw tantrums. But they’re also REALLY silly at times, and these moments make me smile. As they grow their humor will change, and I love that our Christmas card photo totally represents the silliness of the age they are. The silly moments come and go fast so be ready and if you miss it, no worries, you’ll be that much better at catching it the next time.

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