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My name is Mike Bender and I'm the co-founder of an Instagram account "Awkward family photos" dedicated to celebrating our most cringe-worthy photos. At AFP, we laugh with our community, not at them, and let's face it - we all have cringe photos!

In honor of Valentine's Day, I decided to put together some of our greatest couple's photos submissions and the stories behind them to celebrate the inherent awkwardness of amor.

More info: Instagram | awkwardfamilyphotos.com

#1

Couple posing romantically in a forest, surrounded by costumed metal band members, creating a funny contrast.

“They encountered a black metal band during their engagement shoot.”

awkwardfamilyphotos Report

I went home one weekend to see my parents and found my mother hanging up an awkward photo from my childhood. At first, I thought it was so strange that she was memorializing something so cringeworthy, but then I thought about it more and it was kind of genius.

Given that we all have photos like this, I thought what if (along with childhood friend, Doug Chernack) we could create a website where everyone could share their strange family pics and that's how AFP was born. We had no idea it would become as popular as it is today.

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    #2

    Funny couple's picture with a bride drinking champagne in a car while the groom looks on humorously.

    "My favorite picture of my parents. Them on their wedding day, 1991."

    awkwardfamilyphotos Report

    #3

    Funny couples' picture with a woman in a silver dress and a mysterious partner in a black outfit at a high school dance.

    "Found this version at my grandma’s. If anyone in the family had broken up with a significant other, she had a Sharpie ready to joyfully remove the offending partner."

    awkwardfamilyphotos Report

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    glowworm2
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh, so this wasn't based off one of those Victorian photos where someone poses with a dead person?

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    We receive well over a hundred photos per day and since we began in 2009, have received over 1.5 million photos from around the world.

    Personally, I'm a fan of anything from the '70s and '80s... I just love the clothes and the style at the time and it was the golden era of the photo studio, where families would go and embrace the most uncomfortable poses, like piling on top of other family members. Looking back, it was a gloriously awkward time. 

    #4

    A couple poses humorously in a studio, with the man wearing a suit jacket and shorts, embodying funny couple moments.

    “Dad was sure the church photo would only be taken from the waist up.”

    awkwardfamilyphotos Report

    #5

    Funny couples' picture through hands forming a lens, showing a smiling woman.

    “We had the worst wedding photographer in the world. I think this says it all.”

    awkwardfamilyphotos Report

    From the time our website and Instagram began, people have really embraced Awkward Family Photos. We have always been about celebrating the awkwardness rather than making fun of people. After all, we all have them and the way we see it - sharing your awkward photo is kind of a badge of honor, something to be proud of! 

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    School photos and baby photos might be the most popular followed by family portraits and wedding photos.

    #6

    Smiling couple posing on a bench in a garden setting, with the woman in a purple dress, capturing a funny moment.

    "I was going through the pictures when I saw I totally blocked my husband out with my big hair. Then a good friend of mine pointed out the bush in the background looks like a demon."

    awkwardfamilyphotos Report

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    HarriMissesScotland
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I would love to see what the famous photoshop guy would do to this pic! I am sure it would be epic!

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    #7

    Funny couple photo with a child playfully grabbing the groom's pants during a wedding ceremony.

    “When the preacher said ‘Kiss the bride,’ my four-year-old decided to put a finger in my butt.”

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    K Witmer
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This made me laugh. Kids always make a spectacle at a wedding I don't understand people that don't allow them to attend. At mine my ring bearer was my little 6 yr old cousin he got so nervous he his his head, bent down between the two church doors and wailed. Then his little 3 yr old brother stepped in to save the day and waddled down the aisle. It was hilarious.

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    We have a new game with all of our greatest photos where players get the chance to caption the pics with famous movie lines. It's really fun for the whole family and a great way to spread the awkwardness! You can purchase the game here.

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    #8

    Funny couple posing outdoors, woman in black and man with curly hair in "Just Do Me" shirt, night background.

    “This is a photo of my Ma and Pop out on a date in the ’80s. My mom must have followed the instructions on my father’s shirt because 9 months later I was born!”

    awkwardfamilyphotos Report

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    #9

    Bride in a wedding dress touching a vintage TV displaying a man's face; funny couples' picture from Instagram.

    “Here’s my Mom and Dad in September 1970. Credit to the photographer for the special effects pre-photoshop.”

    awkwardfamilyphotos Report

    #10

    Funny couples' picture of a bride looking bored and a groom focused, under a floral arch at their wedding table.

    “We were having a great time at my wedding.”

    awkwardfamilyphotos Report

    #11

    Bride in wedding dress, holding bouquet, looking out window with a smile, humorous couples' photo moment captured.

    “I photographed my sister-in-law’s wedding (my husband’s sister). I knew the window overlooked a part of the hotel’s roof, but I didn’t notice the workers until after I snapped a few pictures."

    awkwardfamilyphotos Report

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    #12

    Couple in matching outfits, playfully posing while holding hands, with one person flashing a peace sign.

    "My parents leaving their wedding reception for their honeymoon road trip in a VW van. 1971."

    awkwardfamilyphotos Report

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    Tom Bolton
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Proof that what's best is to find someone whose weird, cult-esque vibe matches your own.

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    #13

    Couple posing outdoors on leaves, with a dog in the background; funny couples' picture.

    “My husband and I wanted to take a Christmas family photo with our dog Rylee, but he kept wandering off. When we got home our photographer called us and said, ‘I found where Rylee was.”

    awkwardfamilyphotos Report

    #14

    Funny couples pose humorously in a crowded room.

    "My sister is the one who has wisely chosen not to participate in this smooch-fest.”

    awkwardfamilyphotos Report

    #15

    Awkward couple posing in wedding attire, bride holding bouquet, both looking serious.

    “Despite the doom & gloom depicted in the picture, four kids & 28 years later, we’re still together.”

    awkwardfamilyphotos Report

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    Julia Atkinson
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They're both relieved that the bride's headdress, despite being made of toilet paper, survived the rigours of the day

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    #16

    A couple sitting on a sofa, the man holding a chainsaw, featuring funny couples' picture from Instagram.

    “The chainsaw was the neighbor’s Christmas present. It's funny because my mom is smiling even though my dad looks kind of like a potential serial killer.”

    awkwardfamilyphotos Report

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    #17

    Funny couples' wedding photo with bride in sunglasses and groom holding flowers in a playful pose.

    "My parents on their wedding day, Vancouver 1986."

    awkwardfamilyphotos Report

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    deathrose
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You ever look at old photo and realize that your parents are probably cooler then you lol

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    #18

    Funny couple's picture with bride and groom making awkward faces at a wedding.

    “After we had just finished 2 hours of wedding photos.”

    awkwardfamilyphotos Report

    #19

    Funny couples' photo with a woman in a red dress and a man in a red sweater, each holding a shoe in their mouth.

    “My parents in high school… I’m not sure what is going on here.”

    awkwardfamilyphotos Report

    #20

    Couple posing in colorful outfits with a retro vibe, standing in a living room, showcasing a funny moment.

    "My parents in the late 80s. They loved floral!"

    awkwardfamilyphotos Report

    #21

    Couple humorously cutting a wedding cake indoors, capturing a candid and funny moment.

    “My parents' wedding photo taken in the early 60s with my mother wearing pan-stick makeup. My mom just looks SO happy, doesn’t she?"

    awkwardfamilyphotos Report

    #22

    A couple poses with a person in a pig costume, creating a funny couples' picture for Instagram.

    “The only thing I know about this photo is that my parents were at a business event.”

    awkwardfamilyphotos Report

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    #23

    A couple posing humorously on rocky shore, man resting his head on woman's waist, creating a funny moment.

    “We were doing a newlywed photo shoot. We wanted to take romantic photos but something caught his eye while he was trying to pose."

    awkwardfamilyphotos Report

    #24

    Awkward couples' portrait with serious expressions, wearing casual sweaters and jeans against a dark background.

    “I’ve always told my husband that he’s been smitten with me since our first date. It’s easy to understand why when we look back at our engagement pictures.”

    awkwardfamilyphotos Report

    #26

    Funny couples picture with a man and woman in white shirts, smiling at each other, with a man in a red shirt approaching.

    “My husband and I got married before everything in our area was shut down for COVID-19. Loved this photo of us with my new father-in-law in the background…on a dig.”

    awkwardfamilyphotos Report

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    #27

    Couple posing humorously beside a large stone etched with "LOVE" in a park setting.

    “Yes, this is my engagement picture. We thought it would be cute meaning ’til death do us part, but everyone thought it meant our love was already dead.”

    Photographer: Jack Carey, Edited by Robin Simpson

    awkwardfamilyphotos Report

    #28

    Funny couples' picture at a wooden gallows during a whimsical outdoor ceremony, capturing a humorous moment.

    “This is my parents getting hitched in Oatman, Arizona on the gallows in ’88. Yes, legally.”

    awkwardfamilyphotos Report

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    glowworm2
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Maybe they just took the terms "Swingers" and "Well hung" a bit too literally.

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    #29

    Couple with 70s fashion vibe, sitting casually in a living room, surrounded by family, creating a humorous and nostalgic scene.

    "Dad takes Mom to meet the in-laws, 1978 NYC."

    awkwardfamilyphotos Report

    #30

    Funny couples' photo with matching cartoon vests, smiling warmly at the camera.

    “My aunt and uncle's family portrait from the early ’90s.”

    awkwardfamilyphotos Report

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    #31

    Funny couple riding a fake bull in front of a large crowd, with the woman waving and laughing.

    “My parents going for a ride right after they got married.”

    awkwardfamilyphotos Report

    #32

    A couple posing with a small animal skeleton, both smiling broadly, creating a humorous moment.

    “We just got married, and had no kids… just this cat skeleton, “Bones”. We decided to take him with us to our first family portrait.”

    awkwardfamilyphotos Report

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    Julia Atkinson
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The photographer had warned them that living cats tended to "squirm around a bit"

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    #33

    Couple embracing with eyes closed, wearing casual outfits, portraying a humorous romantic moment.

    “The photographer directed us to close our eyes and look relaxed. My fiance nailed it… actually, I think he fell asleep.”

    awkwardfamilyphotos Report

    #34

    Funny couple posing behind autumn leaves indoors.

    “Our wedding was held over Thanksgiving at my grandparents' church and they wanted to keep the festive decor in place for our ceremony.”

    awkwardfamilyphotos Report

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    Julia Atkinson
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The bride drew the line at wearing a camo wedding dress but allowed pumpkin spice punch to be served at the reception

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