Family photos, no, frustration Yes!

Well, our family photo experience was awful, terrible, frustrating and just plain dumb. We went to JcPenney in Minnetonka because they are reasonably priced (hubby being laid off, we have to be a little price conscious)and they have done a fantastic job in the past. They were running over an hour behind on their appointments, the holiday background was broken and our photographer was awful. She would only snap one photo at a time and only did six of the family. I told her from the beginning that the family photo was the most important thing for us, I want something we can use in our Christmas cards. One of the poses she had us in was just shocking, it was rather inappropriate and would have given Grandma a heart attack when she opened the Christmas card. She had Nicole & I lay on the floor and with Rob over the top. All you see is right down my shirt, bra and everything! I did not have a low cut shirt on either, the pose was just dumb! What about us would make her think we'd enjoy a boob-shot for our family photo. Rob liked it but he is a typical guy. The other family photos were equally as horrible- Cole not looking at the camera, Cole's face obstructed by my boob, do you sense a theme here? Either I need a reduction or a different photographer. I have never taken just one picture at a time, when I am photographing the kids. You always take more pictures to make sure you get a good one. So we left frustrated, not ordering anything, had lunch and came back. They ignored my request for help when we came back so I finally literally grabbed the manager by the arm and said help us we just want to order a couple pictures of our daughter. I told the manager how mad I was at the family photos. She gave use the photos of Nicole for free but still it took the entire day, we were there from 10-12 and 1-2 to get that. I should have ordered a boob shot for my friend hot mama- she would have at least thought it was funny.

We did a family photo last summer for church when I took over leadership of Women's Ministry. All we did was set up a tripod in the backyard and use the timer and I really liked how it turned out (it's also my profile photo). We were thinking we could do that again for our Christmas family photo. I'm going to see if a friend at church could do them. We live on a beautiful park reserve, we could go out in the woods and trails. Anything would be better then the ding-dongs at JCP.
On the positive side, I really have to praise Jared the Galleria of Jewelry in Maple Grove. We have been having problems with our wedding rings (not purchased at Jared). Three different people and the manager all worked with me for over an hour and a half to brainstorm ideas and try and figure out a solution to the problem. The the lab even re sized my rings the same day so I could have them for the family photos. We still are not sure why we are both suddenly allergic to our rings but they did suggest some things we can try. We are starting with the inexpensive suggestions and working our way up from there. The most expensive suggestion being replacing them with platinum. Not really am option right now and we do love our rings. Well, I am praying something will work.