Smiling Not Allowed

“My mom didn’t like regular family portraits, the ones where everyone cleans up and pretends to like each other, because that would not be an accurate portrayal of her kids. This photo is the second in a series of really freaking embarrassing at the time, but funny as hell now, family portraits. Our only obligation, aside from dressing for the theme, was to NOT smile. This was the most important and we would all get passed if we had to wait for another jackass to stop smiling. Sometimes it took forever. But yes, smiling was not allowed. This picture was the 2nd we had done. The first, we dressed in camouflage and toted water pistols in what has been lovingly named Camp Nicaragua. There was also the Lion Tamer, The Beach, and I think the last one was some Little House On The Prairie theme. But please, don’t smile.

(submitted by Emily)