The Art of the Photobomb

Have you ever wondered just how many people have photos of you? It is an interesting concept if you think about it. Think of all the family trips you have been on, think of the places your have visited, think of all the concerts and shows you have been to, think of the fairs, carnivals, so on and so forth, and then times that by the amount of camera usage at that event. There could be someone in China right now looking at their photos from Disneyland or New York, and you could be in it just because you were walking by as they clicked for a photograph. How crazy, right?

But then you could also be in any and every photo because you spend your days trying to be. Which brings us to the topic of today's post, The Art of the Photobomb. It really and truly is an art. And something that I have come to know and love over my years. With the holidays coming up there will be a lot of opportunities to jump in photos all over. Today I am teaching you the steps to being an expert photo-bomber.

1. Always be central. 

You need to be in the middle of whatever is going on. Make sure you are never on one end of the group. Because if you limit yourself to one side, you miss the opportunity to be in multiple photos in a row. 

2. Stand behind people. 

You might miss the conversation... but who cares!? You get to be in all their photos. And that is going to bring many more memories and a much better digital footprint. Years down the road what are you going to remember? Making conversation with a bunch of people you will probably not talk to again (unless you will... then that could be awkward) or having a million photos with you in them!?

3. Look for small windows of opportunity. 

Literally... small windows. Your whole body doesn't have to be in a photo for it to be a successful photobomb. One limb, one eye, or whatever else you can squeeze in. There are always keyholes to work through.

4. Never look guilty. 

Did you get caught trying to photobomb? Just smile and walk away. Or just duck down. More on the ducking down later. You just have to blend and pretend you are supposed to be there. It is as simple as that. If you make a guilty face the photographer will second guess that you are supposed to be there!

5. Work on your creepy face. 

Okay... doesn't have to be creepy... thumbs up or some weird face will also work. But I prefer creepy.

6. Open your ears. 

Most photographers count, "Okay... Ready? 1...2...3!" THREE IS YOUR LUCKY NUMBER! 

The countdown always means you are close enough to jump in.

7. Be prepared to jump.

 Literally. At the last second. Because sometimes you get caught on the first attempt. And then you have to squat down and jump at the last second. But also. Jumping connects to number 6, because you will probably have to jump there too.

8. Be prepared to stop. 

You might not be planning to photobomb... but then you are walking by and someone pulls out a camera. Stop. STOP! Always be prepared to stop for those moments. 

9. Blend in. 

Oh, hello family taking photo in front of the building. Hello, Sorority/Fraternity posing at event. 

Hello cheer squad jumping on the beach. Mimic them. Blend in. Be in the photo. Then walk away. 

10. Be mobile. 

This is the most important step. Be prepared to move around. Stand up, sit down, jump, squat, stand up, slide to the left, slide to the right, criss cross, criss cross, cha-cha real smooth. Okay. Maybe not all of that. But be prepared for anything and everything. If you can't move, you can't be in photos.

With all that being said. I wanted you all to see a little of my work.
So here is my photo bomb portfolio, based only on the photos I could find.. 

"Stupid is as stupid does."

Let's be honest. I have done a lot of stupid things in my life. Some that I will gladly admit. And some... not so much. But I wouldn't have much to say if I wasn't willing to share the stupid things that I have done. But basically... the stupid things I am going to share are things that I am actually really okay with. Because everyone else might look at me and think, "What a dummy!" But I look at me and think, "What a great memory!" So, here you go. My top ten stupid moments that were only stupid to anyone on the outside.

10. Going to a formal dance dressed like this. All items were found at a thrift store, a costume box, or used for a Halloween party. We felt cool. But the "what the heck!?" looks were never ending.

9. Spending months... no, no.... years perfecting my dinosaur. There is a video of my raptor impression somewhere. I will find it for you if you so desire.

8. Posing like this. 

 7. Putting chocolate over our teeth to make it look like we were missing them... and then taking photos.... and then putting them on Facebook.

6. Dressing like pirates for the Pirates of the Caribbean movie premiere.... three months after the movie had actually come out.

5. Drawing on myself with markers like a child. Then convincing my roommate to do the same thing because it was funny. And obviously, biggest mistake, not learning how to draw a proper mermaid.

4. Going to Walmart dressed like this. 

3. Letting Sarah's baby sister put this up in the backyard at a party we threw when her parents were out of town. Sarah's sister was only 11...

2. Putting my head in this. In public.

1. Dressing up as the entire HP clan - Luna, Trelawny, Rita, and a snitch to name a few - for the HP 7 midnight premiere. And the proceeding to walk to the front of the theater to do the wave, start cheers such as, "When I say Harry, you say Potter! HARRY! POTTER! HARRY! POTTER!", and holding the snitch friend by the wings and yelling to the audience before the movie, "150 POINTS TO THE PERSON THAT CATCHES THIS GOLDEN SNITCH!" Then watching her as she ran through the aisles.

 So there you have it. The most stupid things that I have done that I am actually happy that I was stupid enough to do them. My memories are fond, my friends are funny, and now all of your probably think I am nuts. But I am embracing it, because I can't change who I was. I can only apply it to who I will be. What crazy things have you done? What are some moments when people gave you the "What the devil?!" look?

Love,

Deidre

M is for Monday and Meme

It is another meme Monday. Mostly because I am running too late everywhere to even think of something to actually write. Let me gather my thoughts for tomorrow's actual post while you get your giggle on. Today's Monday giggles is brought to you by a little T&T. Toddles and Tiaras for those of you that didn't catch that.

 

And of course a little Honey Boo Boo for the road.

I can't be the only one that finds these kids hilarious and these parents ridiculous? What do you think about T&T? What gives you the giggles? How has your Monday been? Hopefully a little better than mine. But either way... Have a MAGNIFICENT Monday.

Love,
Deidre

The Winning Combination

Because everyone deserves to have a happy Monday, I bring you the winning combination. Harry Potter and Mean Girls. Because, let's be honest. You can't go wrong with that. 

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Hope that helped start off your week in the right way. 

Have a Tom Marvolo Monday!

Love,

Deidre

Just Another Pretty Face.

One of my favorite things to do is make people feel really awkward. And a few summers ago my answer to everyone's whys and hows about me was, "Well. It is because I am so pretty." And then it turned into a long running joke about how I am more than just a pretty face. And I still have one friend that refers to me as pretty face. That is story one of this post.

Story two. I do pageants. In case you didn't know that. And because of that people assume I am picture perfect always. Adam had a photo shoot for baseball the other day and the guys said, "Did Deidre train you last night?" Come on people. Pageant girls use Photoshop for head shots. Sorry if you thought we didn't. But we do. But his baseball team always refers to my pageant life, which is funny and I secretly (not so secretly anymore) love it.

And now to the last story about Adam. I mean, I have always thought Adam was a good looking man. Clearly. Otherwise I wouldn't have made a fool of myself at that football game way back when. But over the last month or so I have had many friends express their opinion of Adam's looks. From one girl saying, "Is your husband here? I haven't met him... but he is so hot!" to another saying, "Adam is so handsome and just a great guy."

But I am here to tell you all this pretty face talk is incorrect.

This is what we normally look like.

My family knew that we were a match made in heaven when they saw the amount of funny faces Adam makes. They thought I would never meet someone as out of control as me. And boy were they wrong. I will at least smile 25% of the time. For Adam, it is closer to 3.6%. So I am here today to teach you the art of the funny face. 

Start with the eyes. Make them big. 

Or one squinty. Or crossed.

Next the nose. Basically you have two options. 

Flare it or suck it in.

Next the lips... any shape that isn't a smile will do.

Add the chin or an awkward hand position.

Put it all together and you are SET!

That is actually the most hideous funny face I have ever seen. I am so glad I could put it together for you. Need some more funny face inspiration? Here are some of my favorites... 

And then one normal for good measure. 

Well. Hopefully I didn't frighten you TOO much. Do you like to make funny faces? What is your go to? Or are you a smiler?

Love,

Deidre