Go Ninja, TMNT Family Photos!

My husband and I are children of the 90's, meaning that we were present for all of the 1990's crazes, trends and cartoons! One of our favorites was the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. I vividly remember watching the 4 giant turtles fighting Shredder from the safety of my rural Iowa living room, then chowing down on some extra cheesy pizza afterwards (the TMNTs, not me!) It seemed apparent that we have our own TMNT family photos before our boys stop wanting to dress up. Having four boys of our own, with gigantic imaginations and eyeballs to boot, they have also fallen in with the classic cartoon and all of the adaptions. This was the year we decided to dress as our fav turtles and friends. Funnily enough, the turtles and our boys share similar personality traits from being a leader, an inventor, quick to anger, and the baby of the family.

Leonardo is the oldest ninja turtle. He wears blue and yields swords. He is the level-headed one and a skilled fighter. My own Leonardo, is very similar. Always trying to get his younger brothers in line, and hates collective punishments. Although in the TMNT universe, the second-born is Donatello, but that just doesn't align with my boys' personality. Raphael definitely has second-born energy. My own second born is a hot-head. He is quick to react. He's also a big lover, but he doesn't show that side as much as his tough exterior. He's strong and he's brave. He's also a decent fighter with the sais. Raph wears red, which is on par with the energy his brings. Up next is Donatello. Donnie is clad in purple and fights with the bo staff. He is the creative thinker and the inventor. He is a bit more mild mannered that brash Raph. Donnie does well designing new mechs and gadgets in the Turtles' sewer lair. Michalengo is the baby of the family. He frequently gets himself in hot water because he thinks he can keep up with his older brothers, (spoiler, he cannot always keep up). He wears orange and fights with Nunchakus. He is oftentimes the comic relief in the group and is always down for a snack at the end of the fight. The TMNT's aren't complete without their beloved friend and TV news report, April O'Neil. In the original series, April wore a yellow jumpsuit. Her shoulder length red hair was always visible, along with her camera in hand to capture all of the moments. Obviously, I was April. I opted for khaki overalls and a yellow striped tee instead of the yellow overalls (because that really is a bit too costume-y for everyday wear, even for me!)

April and the Turtles have a human friend that fights alongside of them at times, named Casey Jones. Casey Jones is a vigilante that fights with....whatever is available. He wields hockey sticks, golf clubs, and even baseball bats at times. He is seen with a hockey mask as his disguise. In true 1990's fashion, he also wears a cut-off tee. Casey Jones was played by Mr. Calli Tuggle Photography himself. What a smoke show!

For this session, I really wanted a grimy looking sewer vibe. Unfortunately, the backdrop that I had planned for the session, (a dark brick) was waaaaay too small for a family for six. So, we pivoted and went with the white brick instead. To stay true to the Turtles Hideout though, I used color gels as well as a fog machine to try to bring in a bit of the mystery and darkness of underground NYC.

I dialed in my camera settings and handed the camera over to my brother-in-law (who is most like Raphael himself) and he captured this family shot of us. It's a far stretch from what I was envisioning, but it's us. It's imperfect and a bit kooky, but that glare that the pre-teen Raph is giving the camera is 100% real. I know I want have many more opportunities for family costumes, so I am soaking up these moments now. Eventually they'll be too cool and want to hang out with their friends on Halloween and watch slasher movies, instead of cuddling on the couch with me watching Hocus Pocus. Time is a thief. Take the pics and enjoy an extra slice of a pizza every once in awhile!