68 Awkward Family Photos That Might Make Yours Look Relatively Normal

A family photo should be a pretty simple affair, right? In theory, all you have to do is squeeze into the frame, look at the camera, and smile when someone says “cheese.” In practice, it rarely goes that smoothly. Getting everyone dressed, in the same place, and in a decent mood at the same time is already an achievement. But then getting everyone to cooperate for one good shot? Well, that can feel a lot like herding cats.

Someone pulls a face, someone else refuses to smile, and there’s always a chance the family pet will steal the show. At the very least, someone’s bound to have their eyes closed (guilty as charged). But every now and then, whether it’s a carefully posed group shot, a stiff studio portrait, or a candid moment nobody was prepared for, the result is so awkward, it’s actually kind of perfect.