You knew it was coming… “Awkward Family Photos”!

Well, after sharing the joys of Cake Wrecks and People of Walmart,  it’s time to move on to my personal favorite, Awkward Family Photos!

Honestly? I have been known to start clicking on this site and then look up and discover I have lost an hour of my life I will never get back. And it’s totally worth it. Like the other sites, this one features real photos sent in by readers– because you can’t make this stuff up. A lot of them are centered around themes like Christmas card photos, birthdays, weddings, reunions, etc. You know, all of the occasions that loving families get together and thoroughly embarrass themselves. So without further ado, here is a little sampling of the wonder and the goodness that is Awkward Family Photos…

We’ll start with one that I particularly love because I happen to also have two teenagers, and I am currently adjusting to the fact that Madi recently colored her hair to a startling (to me at least) shade of  black. Yes, she is almost 18 years old and it is her hair, and yes, it is demi-permanent and according to the box will supposedly fade away after 63 washes (not that I’m counting), but still. It is an adjustment. Perhaps someday she will look back on photos of this time in her life with the same fond nostalgia that I’m sure these young men have experienced. (Check out the mom’s expression– it says “Yes, I know they look ridiculous, but they’re my sons, whaddya gonna do?”)

**As a child I totally remember a few uncomfortable moments like these, where my entire head would disappear while being hugged by sweet ladies of the church.

**Don’t you wonder what the angelic one did right before the picture was taken? Ah, the joys of brotherhood…

**I don’t know what to say about this one. Except maybe, “Ewwwww.”

**Here’s what the person who sent this one in had to say about it:

“My younger brother in his ‘awkward yet fabulous’ phase. Please note the following: 1. Western-style shirt with Christmas-star-snowflake ornament…. 2. One exposed skate (just to prove that you’re wearing skates?). 3. Indestructible plastic-frame glasses because, of course, the parents were worried about their child breaking the stylish/expensive ones. 4. Gold lamé fabric bringing out the most unsympathetic tones in the ginger kid’s skin and hair.”

**No, this is NOT Momma Lloyd. (But she would totally do this.)

**This is actually kind of ingenious and I wish I’d thought of it.

**Just…. WHY?

**Thank God someone had a camera handy.

**I love this one! A lovely old-fashioned photo and then, years later, the story behind the picture. It is entitled “Fifty Cents.”

The Awkward Family Photo Grandparents return to talk about one of their first dates and the price you pay for getting fresh.

21 Responses

  1. DonnaMariePatterson

    That was great!! You ARE a blessing!

  2. Tweets that mention » You knew it was coming… “Awkward Family Photos”! | babybloomr -- Topsy.com

    […] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Tori Taff and Diane Robinson, Jillian Chambers. Jillian Chambers said: Hikarious!!!/ RT @Babybloomr Just trying to be a blessing. http://babybloomr.com/2010/06/19/you-knew-it-was-coming-awkward-family-photos/ […]

  3. BrownEyedGirl

    I think I’m laughing a little too loudly in the library!!! Too funny! Better get back to work!

    Love it , Tori!!

  4. LindaB

    O.M.G.!!!! I saw that picture with the four family members in matching pajamas on Christmas morning, and the fifth one without a shirt,(he obviously lost his shirt PAYING for Christmas for those three girls) and laughed until my granddaughter came in to see if I was alright!!! I’m still laughing!!! That is hilarious! Thanks for that, Tori!

  5. chillybean

    Love this site as well. My cousin’s husband took one of the photos and with his creative techy/photoshop skills, put their faces in. Even left the glasses from the original one. It was hilarious!!!! She was sooo mad, but laughed like crazy!

  6. jonny

    Concerning the photo with the twin boys crying, I would’ve loved to have a ‘Billy Batson’ shirt like the one the kid who’s not crying has! No wonder he is able to smile so big and contently in the midst of all that chaos, he has the shirt most boys in the 70’s would have given just about anything for!! = )

  7. auntie

    Tori –

    My sister just told me about this one – awkwardfamilypets.com

  8. auntie

    Sorry – one more for ya – myparentswereawesome.tumblr.com

    It’s a little more sentimental than Awkward Family Photos, but still plenty of awkwardness!

    We seem to have the same taste in websites :-)

  9. Barbara M. Lloyd

    Had to take a second look at that old lady with the gun….first glance frightened me. Looks like fun to me.

    My mother had photos of her family….way back…..and I completely understood why she didn’t hang the framed ones on her walls. But they would be good ones to hang around the house if your daughter were dating someone you didn’t like and you wanted to get rid of the fella. Nobody in their right mind would want to take a chance on their kids looking like those photos.

    The last one with the brief film is so funny. Reminds me of someone I once knew. Honest injun.

  10. Pearl

    Oh, Tori, my sides hurt and it’s all your fault! I’ve enjoyed the photo site before so I decided to check out the cake wreck site. OH. MY.I tried to get through the FAQ’s but I was laughing so hard that I had to take a break. I guess cake wrecks are best eaten in small bites. Thanks for making my day about 12 shades brighter!

  11. DELIVEREDJEPARKER63

    THANK YOU, TORI!!!!! I TOLD YOU I WAS GONNA WAIT & VIEW THAT LAST POST WHEN I COLD HAVE TIME TO GIVE THEM THE GUFFAWES THEY DESERVED…..AND THAT TIME CAME SOONER THAN ANITCIPATED! SINCE WE ARE STRANDED TEMPORARILY IN SWEDESBORO, NJ…I HAD TIME TO SIT AND LOOK AT THOSE PICS – AND DISRUPTED THE ENTIRE LOBBY AT HAMPTON INN! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!

  12. traceyhud2

    Well those all just made my day! I loved the video so much, especially the husband..he wasn’t giving up on that 25 cents was he? ha!

  13. rachelbaker

    I was wondering if you were going to invite us to send in examples from our own family vaults!!

    Oh, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY, I hope you have a wondeful day.

  14. bettyrwoodward

    I hope you don’t ask us to send any in, I hate to think what Rachel might find but I guess I might find some of her!
    Happy birthday. Have a great day.

  15. delightedabroad

    Of course I join in the Happy birthday choir!!!

  16. LindaB

    Happy birthday, to our wonderful Tori,
    And by the way, what is your story?
    You still look great, not aged a bit,
    Why, I bet your high school clothes still fit.
    Your children are fabulous, your husband’s cool,
    You’re smart, and witty, and nobody’s fool.
    You keep your household rolling along,
    And sometimes stop and write a great song!
    Your blog’s a hit, your eyelashes long,
    Tell me…..what am I doing wrong?

    LOL HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TORI! OUR BLOG GODDESS!

  17. jonny

    I think you out did yourself this time, LB! = )

    Oh, and happy birthday Tori!! Go figure, she would be celebrating it on the longest day of the year = )

  18. LindaB

    How does one celebrate with a pinched nerve in one’s back? Very carefully???? One step at a time??? Tell us, Tori!!!

  19. LindaB

    Like two porcupines dancing??? No sudden movements???

  20. LindaB

    So……where is our birthday girl??? I hope she’s not waiting in Taco Bell for someone to pick her up!!!! You’re not doing too much are you, T.? Like tending your garden?? Be careful! Or, did you make a run for Arkansas to see your father on Father’s Day? (I’m pretty nosy, aren’t I? It’s just that I have some time to kill—–got hair color on my roots and I have to sit here for 25 minutes. Idle hands, ya know.)

  21. Phyllis R

    I had to get control of myself while I was watching the grandparent’s date. That was so funny!!!!!!!!!!!

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