Full disclosure, Pandas, I feel incredibly awkward most of the time when someone’s taking my picture. It’s anticipating the flash and worrying about whether I’m not looking too goofy or too serious that messes my head up. Don’t get me wrong, I adore photography, but I still don’t have the confidence to look cool in photos. Awkward, silly, though? Sign me up, I’m your guy! I’m a natural at these!
Awkward photos are somewhat of a constant on the internet and in real life. Childhood friends Mike Bender and Doug Chernack saw this and created the ‘Awkward Family Photos’ project. What started out as a simple blog back in 2009 has since then ballooned into a multi-million-member project that celebrates the most awkward, uncomfortable, cringy, and simply downright-fun photos of family moments.
We can guarantee that these photos will boost your mood and make the wait for that wonderful thing called the weekend pass in a heartbeat. As you scroll down, remember to upvote and comment on your favorite awkward family photos. And if you feel like you haven’t gotten your daily dose of Vitamin A(wkwardness) yet, feel free to check out Bored Panda’s first article about AFP right here. Tons of nostalgic awkwardness and weirdness below, let’s not keep them waiting any longer!
Mike, the co-founder of AFP, told Bored Panda that the project has, at its core, always been the same throughout the years: "A celebration of awkwardness especially as it relates to family. We are still laughing 'with' and not 'at' people. We have built a community of folks who are comfortable enough to laugh at themselves," he said.
Meanwhile, photographer Dominic Sberna gave Bored Panda his perspective about confidence in front of the camera lens, how to feel more relaxed when having your picture taken, and what professionals can do to help their subjects feel less awkward. Scroll down for his thoughts on the topic!
This post may include affiliate links.
#41 Took My 3rd Son To A Photographer For His Baptism (Which Was 1 Year Late Due To Covid) And They Went A Little Over The Top With The Green Screen Backgrounds
Report
255points
#42 This Was My Senior Picture And My Mom Thought It Would Be A Great Idea To Pose With Some Of My Cabbage Patch Collection Of Dolls. For Some Reason, I Decided To Go With The Sultry Look. The Rest Is History As You Can See
Report
244points
#43 This Is Me With My Younger Brother, Our Grandparents, And Our Father In Hot Pants. Circa 1985, Australia
Report
242points
#45 My Dad (Left) Shortly After He Emigrated From The Soviet Union To Chicago In 1980. Sorry Ladies, He’s Married To My Mom
Report
238points
#46 I Very Much Enjoyed Being Tucked Into A Bag And Carried Around By My Dad
Report
224points
#47 This Photo Of My 6 Month Old Brother Was Taken On My Second Birthday. Apparently My Siblings Thought It Would Be Hilarious To Tie Balloons To All Of His Limbs And My Parents Were Just Like, ‘Whatever.’ He Was The Eighth Child, So I Guess By Then Nothing Mattered
Report
220points
#48 My Mom’s Friend Dressed As A Clown For My Parents’ Wedding Day. Nobody Knows Why
Report
216points
#50 When I Was A Senior In High School, I Was Obsessed With Mountain Dew. I Would Have Like Six A Day, Any Size. There Was Never A Time One Was Not In My Hand. So For My Senior Photos, I Thought It Was Going To Be A Great Idea To Make A Throne Of Mountain Dew To Sit On. I Went Out The Morning Of My Photos And Bought Six 24-Packs To Build My Throne. It Took Me A Few Weeks To Get Through All Of It. It’s Hilarious Now Because I Don’t Drink Mountain Dew Anymore
Report
191points