40+ Awkward Family Moments Caught on Camera & We Can’t Stop Laughing

Instagram // @ponymctate

Taking family photos isn’t always easy. If it’s a group photo, it can prove difficult to organize everyone in an efficient manner. For a candid shot, it’s easy to see how that approach might go wrong. These people all shared some of the family photos they say they’ll never forget and we can’t stop laughing.

Celebrating the News

We all mark big milestones in our own ways. Maybe you prefer to catch a video of an event while someone else grabs a moment. This person got rather creative.

Instagram // @awkwardfamilyphotos

They explained that they had a specific outfit they would wear when something big happened. It just so happened that the outfit they fell back on was a clown costume. It definitely made for some interesting photos from when their younger brother was born!

Come Back!

If there’s one setting that’s almost always sure to come with quite a few chaotic family photos, it’s going to see Santa Claus at a local event. It was sure not to be a visit to Bass Pro Shops like any other.

Instagram // @awkwardfamilyphotos

It seems like this child just didn’t want to sit with a stranger rather than their mom — can you blame them? It’s hard to pin down what’s the funniest thing in this photo. Is it the mom sprinting away? One child staying in a pose? Is Santa ignoring the whole thing?

School Photos

School photos can really be hit or miss. Plenty of people have photos they look back on and wonder just what anyone was thinking when the photo was snapped. This person had a few questions about this school photo.

Facebook // Peterborough Pony Club

While they were only 11 years old in this photo, they also pointed out they could have passed 55 years old with this photo. It could be worse but we can see how they might find the style a little dated in the early ’90s.

They Want to Join

It’s not easy to get everyone in one place for one big family photo. For a minute, it seemed like this family managed to do the impossible! To their credit, the family seems like they were ready for the photo for the most part.

Reddit // u/jimmynudetron69

Still, pets are a part of the family, too, and they want to be involved! We’re not sure this family was hoping for a canine wrestling match when they took a second look at this picture.

She Needs Some Rest

Having a lot of children takes a lot of energy. Once those kids have their own kids, though, you’ll have a lot of grandkids around.

Instagram // @awkwardfamilyphotos

Even if you’re used to a large family, thirteen grandkids running around would use up a lot of energy. This grandmother was still trying to have fun when all the excitement of Christmas got to her. The result was a puzzle being turned into a pillow.

Oh, Okay

As a parent or a grandparent, you usually want to grab plenty of cute snapshots of the newest members of your family. Some are a little frightening, though.

Reddit // u/theunfluencer

This expression is already a little unsettling before you notice this toddler is enjoying a copy of The Exorcist. The person who shared this photo said they received it from their mom after a night of babysitting. It’d definitely catch us off guard, to say the least.

Good Effort

There was a time it was popular to head to a local photo studio when you needed a professional family portrait. That’s what this family had in mind.

Instagram // @awkwardfamilyphotos

After all, what’s a better gift for Mom for Christmas than that family photo she’s been wanting? Well, almost the family photo she’s been wanting. The only problem is that these siblings may have forgotten to show their smiles when the camera flash went off.

What Is She Planning?

There are some moments you want to get on camera forever. Siblings meeting for the first time is a huge milestone for everyone involved and parents probably want that for posterity or to show them one day.

Instagram // @awkwardfamilyphotos

These parents decided they needed a picture of the two. While the smile here was likely conveying excitement, the person who was the baby in this photo couldn’t help but notice how sinister their older sibling seemed in this pose.

Pretty Sure We Know Who’s Guilty

There are some things your phone simply won’t withstand. You can’t really expect your phone to work after being flushed down a toilet. Luckily for these parents, the phone was at least intact enough to get the pictures off their phones.

Instagram // @awkwardfamilyphotos

While they may have been hoping to save some baby photos, they found one baby photo they weren’t expecting. It seems pretty clear which one of their kids was behind the phone’s disappearance.

Don’t Do That!

There are some things you simply can’t stand for. This grandmother wasn’t about to be disrespected by anyone, wildlife included. So, when this pelican came to take a bite of her, she wasn’t having it.

Instagram // @thepelicansreport | @bootkrewemedia

Her grandchild snapped this picture while she was right in the middle of lecturing the bird. We’re not sure how but it seems like she really made the bird feel ashamed. They might even think twice before trying that again!

Stunning Results

There are some poses that seem safe for a family photo when you’re working with a photographer. After all, if they weren’t, why would the pose be so popular? To be fair, both of the parents look rather serene here.

Instagram // @lauraparkerphoto

The toddler they’re holding between them doesn’t look quite as relaxed. Even worse, they’d managed to get the same picture perfectly only a year before. We suppose this would make a hilarious then-and-now comparison, though.

Who Is That?

Baby pictures in a family can sometimes be a mystery. After all, genetics are strong and family members often look alike when they’re still so young.

Reddit // u/ook_ook_the_gorilla

This person couldn’t help but laugh at the face in these family photos. Just as they were laughing, they decided to ask about the baby in this photo. They were quickly informed that this photo was of them as a baby at only a month old.

Baby Photos

Like we said, people look a lot different when they’re babies and this can lead to some interesting photos. When this couple was looking at an old photo album, they managed to find a picture of the husband that left them in stitches.

Instagram // @awkwardfamilyphotos

The picture in question here isn’t necessarily weird in any way — the two were just surprised by how large this person’s head looked when he was an infant.

Not Quite Enjoying Things

When you’re trying to get a family photo, making sure that everyone is smiling can be a challenge. On a log flume, you probably aren’t going to nail too many smiles. To start, we have to say the mom in this picture was ready for the photo.

Instagram // @the.thrilla

Her son, though, seems a little more nervous about the whole situation. As for the person in front, they assure everyone this is his standard look but he definitely doesn’t seem to be photo ready.

“Fun Clowns”

At first glance, this photo is incredibly terrifying. We’re not sure how we’d react if a bunch of clowns rode by on bicycles. The person who posted the picture explained that it was a childhood photo of their wife and a few others.

Instagram // @lifewithaliya

Apparently, it was regular practice to ride around the neighborhood like this. The kids called themselves “fun clowns” but we’re sure they scared more than a few people together.

Not Worth It

It’s hard to stay up and party when you’re a little kid. After all, you need a lot of sleep when you’re very young! This person snapped a photo of their sister when she was already tired.

Instagram // @awkwardfamilyphotos

The facial expression that steals the show here immediately follows her very first sip of sparkling grape juice. While it’s a drink some kids love, we’re not so sure that this child was ready to try it again anytime soon.

Quality Time

It’s funny to see what entertains kids when they’re young. They often break into fits of giggles over things adults do every day or wouldn’t think to do at all.

imgflip // Proud kid standing on dad

Unfortunately for this dad, the game their kids came up with one morning seems like a pretty harsh way to wake up. While we understand a newly-found ability to balance must be exciting, it doesn’t look like the spot they found to pose for a picture is comfortable for everyone.

Really Loving the Ride

There are some things you get to do as a kid that are just wildly exciting. Hitting up an amusement park you love? That’s a real opportunity for fun. This child seems thrilled for the chance to check out the rides at Dollywood.

Instagram // @awkwardfamilyphotos

While this photo may not be the picture-perfect family photo some were hoping for, it’s memorable in its own right and surely has a place in the family photo album. They said they laughed so hard at the picture they couldn’t help but buy it!

It’s Definitely Creative

As we’ve said, hitting a local photographer’s studio for posed pictures in front of a backdrop was the go-to method for family photos for quite some time.

Instagram // @awkwardfamilyphotos

When this family decided to get their portraits done to serve as directory photos for a church, the photographer wasn’t feeling the standard poses. So, they asked the family if they could get a little more creative. Judging from this final result, that creativity was a little off-the-wall. Also, does the back of your head help in a directory photo?

She’s Ready

As you go through life, you probably learn a few genuine life hacks here and there to help you out. This grandmother lived and learned.

Instagram // @awkwardfamilyphotos

So, when her grandchild came up and asked for rice because they dropped their phone in water, their grandma was ready. Instead of sacrificing some of the rice from the kitchen, she already had a container dedicated to rice only used to dry out electronics. Not a bad idea!

Not Posing for the Picture

Vacations with the family are a great chance to show younger members new experiences and create some really special memories together. If you want great photos, though, maybe aim for midday while everyone still has the energy to pose.

Instagram // @awkwardfamilyphotos

By the end of the day on a trip to Croatia, this family was trying to snap a cute picture but the younger sister of the family was a bit too tired to stay up any longer.

Babyface

For those that are less familiar with professional wrestling, a face (or babyface) refers to a “good guy” wrestler. Judging from the wrestling pose these siblings were captured in, we’d say that baby bro here is the fan favorite — while his older sister is obviously the antagonist.

Awkward Family Photos // Tiffany

All jokes aside, we’re not entirely sure what these kids’ parents were thinking. Not only did they dress their children in wrestling singlets, but they also had them pose in the most awkward position imaginable.

Congratulations to You Both

When you’re pregnant, you might really be looking forward to the experience! A maternity shoot is a great way to commemorate and celebrate the upcoming addition to the family.

Awkward Family Photos // TEAM AWKWARD

As it turns out, this mother-to-be wasn’t the only one in the family expecting. Alongside their pregnancy, one of the goats the family had was pregnant too. So, why not share the celebration and get a few maternity shots together?

Asleep Instead

When it comes to weddings, the youngest members of families aren’t always as excited. Sometimes, they’re just too young to understand the circumstance. Still, this baby was enlisted as the flower girl at her aunt’s wedding.

Awkward Family Photos // TEAM AWKWARD

It’s a good thing that they made sure she was safely strapped into her seat. When they finally pulled her down the aisle to throw flowers, she’d already nodded off for a nap, leading to a much funnier scene.

Interesting Preference

It’s not uncommon for young kids to get attached to an object. For example, your child might love a blanket or a teddy bear they won’t leave behind. There’s no reason kids have to stick to these clichés, though.

Reddit // u/straws4077

This toddler had a different idea. Instead of a stuffed animal that had to be in their room while they slept, they fell head over heels for a life-sized Halloween skeleton. The resulting monitor photos are hilariously nightmarish.

Put it Out!

Birthdays are an exciting time to celebrate with family. At first glance, you might even think this is a cute photo, even if the child doesn’t seem quite ready for the camera flash.

Neo Gaf // Pics That Make You Laugh

A closer look reveals the real problem with this photo. Unfortunately, if you have long hair, you really need to watch it around fire. Otherwise, you might ignite it with something like a birthday candle on the cake you’re leaning over.

A Celebrity Appearance

There are some things that always blow people’s minds. Most people are rather shocked when they meet a celebrity for the first time. After all, it’s not like it happens every day.

Reddit // u/BrendyGauntner

This baby seems surprised, even if they don’t understand the implications of meeting someone this iconic. We have to wonder, though — why do they have a baby photo with Mr. T? The mom seems pretty excited about it, too!

A Family Effort

Riding your bike as a kid is exciting. After seeing something like what they do at the X Games, though, you might want to up your game a little bit.

Instagram // @thecampbar

Back in 1980, this child was just looking for a bit more of a thrill. So, they turned to a classic choice of building a ramp — sort of. Instead of building it on the ground, their mom got about as involved as possible. This seems like a painful labor of love.

What’s Happening?

There are some days you always want to remember. Many people really cherish their wedding photos with their spouse. You have a lot of options when it comes to how to take these photos, too.

Awkward Family Photos // TEAM AWKWARD

Most opt for photos before, during, and after the ceremony. You can get creative if you want to, as this couple clearly did. We’re just wondering whether or not this photo was supposed to be comedic.

Everybody Matches

It’s almost a cliché at this point to take a family photo in matching sweaters. Still, grandma put so much effort into these, so how can you say no?

Instagram // @ponymctate

The result was a family photo that’s already a little awkward. What really makes this stand out is the expression on everyone’s faces.

This Isn’t Good

If you’re looking for something serene, you might think a beachside shoot is a good way to go. What could be more peaceful? Well, if you’re photoshoot goes like this, then the beach might not exactly be peaceful.

Instagram // @awkwardfamilyphotos

First of all, everyone ended up being fine. What led to this shocking shot was one of the older kids jumping on this mom’s back unexpectedly while she was holding the youngest. The result was a bit chaotic.

Ready for the Renaissance Fair

There are some photo booths that are a little more gimmicky than others. If you stop at a Renaissance fair, you might get the chance for some fun photos.

Ready for the Renaissance Fair

While the photo itself was slightly comical, this person was even more caught off-guard to realize they didn’t remember it. When they told this to their mom, she was even funnier in her response about her memories of that period of time.

They Did Ask

When you want everyone to look happy in a family photo, you might remind everyone to smile. However, you can’t really guarantee consistency across everyone’s expressions.

Instagram // @awkwardfamilyphotos

When this family wouldn’t sport big enough smiles, the family encouraged them to smile even more. At some point, though, you can only smile so much more before you start to look a little odd. The wide eyes really stand out in this expression but can you blame him?

Finally Found Them

There are some photos from our younger years that we’d rather not share with everyone. Still, you can’t just throw them away, can you?

Wattpad // @prince_3121

This person couldn’t quite let go of their old photos but they didn’t want to keep them out in the open together. That worked great until they got ready to clean out the garage with their spouse — only to stumble upon this picture together. Maybe it does deserve a place of display!

A Good Sense of Humor

As we’ve said, there are a lot of ways you can commemorate your wedding day. Many people go for photographs of the event to look back on years later.

Instagram // @awkwardfamilyphotos

We didn’t realize there was such a trend of making the bride look so small. These two really had the chance to play with perspective in such an open field and they definitely took advantage. The result is a wedding photo that no one will forget anytime soon!

Playing the Part

It seems like something straight out of a sitcom but when you’re young, you really can get some strange roles in the school play.

Instagram // @awkwardfamilyphotos

When it comes to a show like Beauty and the Beast, at least the cutlery doesn’t just stay sitting in a drawer. Given that this was a skating carnival, we’re sure this person playing a spoon at least got a moment or two to show off their skills on the ice!

“Heart Breaker”

Listen, the camera sometimes creates illusions that we don’t want it to. In this case, this student’s shirt was a bit warped in her school photo.

Awkward Family Photos // Cathy

To start, let’s clarify that the shirt actually says “heart breaker.” Still, with the fabric folded and the angle of the camera, you would think from the picture it read “fart breaker.” Apparently, it’s a joke their siblings got a lot of mileage out of.

Accessorizing Siblings

By the time you’re the eighth kid, you know you’ll have plenty of people to hang out with growing up. This person’s siblings were just there to have a little fun. It’s pretty innocent fun, too.

Instagram // @bekahbirdie

After all, it’s just a few balloons and we’re fortunately not in a cartoon, so they aren’t going to float away. It does make for a funny picture, though, and the baby seems pretty fascinated with the situation — or maybe they’re just confused.

Trying to Match a Friend

This is the sort of family photo that would really confuse someone the first time they saw it. It makes more sense once you hear the story.

Reddit // u/Obese_hairnet

The dog in this photo was home shortly after a trip to the vet, leading to a cone to wear for the time being. As for one of the younger humans in the house, they didn’t want their beloved pet to feel alone. As such, they demanded a matching cone.

A New Tradition

Some people really love family photos. Grandparents, like the one in this story, love to collect these memories and display them any chance they get.

Wiscasset Newspaper

When this family noticed their grandfather kept all the photos they gave him and hung them up around the house, they had an idea. What if they gave him a picture next to a dumpster? Not only did he hang it up, but it also started a new family tradition as well.

It’s Efficient

We’ve all seen a movie scene of someone cutting their ex’s face out of all the pictures they have together after a breakup. This mom decided that was the catharsis she needed.

Awkward Family Photos // Shawna

Let’s be honest, though. It’s pretty labor-intensive to cut the faces out of every photo. It takes time and it’s hard to just cut out what you want. If you need a lifehack on it, however, this mom found that White-Out really did the trick.

Looking Alike

Some people know the pain of matching haircuts for family photos all too well. As this person shared, their grandma liked this style — it wasn’t just for the photo.

Instagram // @awkwardfamilyphotos

As a result, she forever has a photo featuring her and her sister in the ’80s with rather… busy haircuts. To start, they had mullets, which fit the time. However, they did start to think it was overkill when the matching mullets were paired with matching perms.

Favorite Snacks

Family photos don’t always commemorate relationships between different family members. Sometimes, they just really show the personality of one member. If there’s one thing we can say about this photo, it’s definitely full of personality.

Awkward Family Photos // Abigail

Apparently, this person loved these snacks so much, they did a photoshoot to prove it! We have to say, it’s a great way to make sure your family knows what you want as a snack when they run to the store.

This One Is Scary

Some family photos really show off the time they’re in. Sometimes, that’s pretty scary to see! After all, things look a little different now.

Reddit // u/Muflon_04

In this case, we’re referring to the safety standards for kids. Back in the 1960s, this family caught a family photo that seems harrowing now. We think that, even as adults, we’d at least want a seatbelt on that ride. That’s a long way down, after all!

Even Scarier

These chair lift pictures make for some memorable family photos that can really make your heart drop. An older photo, this one is from 1956. The picture this person found of their dad and grandmother going for a ride.

Instagram // @awkwardfamilyphotos

The idea of just holding a baby in your lap while you hold on in this seat is already scary enough. We’re not sure we’d want to turn around and look at the houses behind them from that height!