The Crazy Graduation Photo Adventures

Okay, so my son graduates in June, and yes, there are times when I want to burst into tears about it. Last summer he had to go in and take graduation photos, mostly for the yearbook, but we had an opportunity to buy. The prices were obscene. As in over $100 for ONE pose and only a few sheets. I ended up buying one pose, because if I wanted them all it would be over $1000.



I decided I'd take photos on my own. I bought the same color cap and gown on Amazon since Tommy's won't be in for a few more months. I'm not the best photographer, mind you, but I thought I could get some great shots.

Well.

Here's the thing with my son. It can be difficult for him to look natural in photos. Some people can easily do it. Others? Well, they smile like Chandler from Friends:

So I'd be like, "Tommy, relax your face," and he'd be like:

"No. Just look natural."

"Okay, better, but smile with your teeth! We paid good money to get them straight."

"Okay, now Tommy, you're starting to look crazy again. Please try and look normal."

"I mean. That's...better? How about we go for a serious look?"

"You look annoyed."

He was all, "I am, a little bit. How much longer?"

So I went, "Okay, smile with teeth."

"Can we try again with your baby photo? Smile with your teeth."

"Tommy! No. Relax!"

"Okay, son, it looks like you're pooping."

"Okay, let's change locations, maybe that'll help."

"Tommy, you're looking annoyed again."

"I AM! I'm tired of all these photos! Can I go inside?"

"Almost. A few more."

"Please relax so I can get a good shot of you with your baby photo."

"Okay, fine, let's try another shot."

"I'm over this."

"I know, please, just a few more. Look excited!"

"Nice! How about we do a few when you throw your cap in the air."

Which was a mistake, because we lost his year lanyard briefly. It flung off somewhere, so then we had to search for it. We found it under my car.

I asked him to look excited again and he was all:

I asked him to do a "looking up laughing pose" and he was all, "Why? I don't find anything funny," and I told him people do it all the time on Instagram and he was all, "But why?"

"I don't know son, they just DO!"

I told him he could be done after that, and he was thrilled.

"Finally! Geez!"

I did manage to get a few "not homicidal looking" shots.

But you know, I think I'll be using most of the silly ones. Because it's who he is.