Mike Bender
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Mike Bender is a screenwriter living in Los Angeles whose credits include Not Another Teen Movie and the MTV Movie Awards. He co-founded the popular website AwkwardFamilyPhotos.com after seeing his mother hang an awkward vacation photo in the house.

Blog Entries by Mike Bender

Awkward Family Photos: Mother's Day 2012

(235) Comments | Posted May 9, 2012 | 2:02 PM

When it comes to celebrating the woman who gave you life, you have to do something special. So, when we decided to launch our official Awkward Family Photos app for the iPhone right before Mother's Day, we wanted to do something that honored Mom in all of her awkward glory....

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The Wedding Toast

(27) Comments | Posted April 26, 2012 | 7:33 PM

Let me just start off by saying that I have the greatest grandparents in the world. They are incredibly loving, supportive, the two funniest people I know, and also incredible role models. Both are still working (at jobs they truly are passionate about) and they've been married for 72 years!!!...

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Awkward Engagement Photos

(623) Comments | Posted April 12, 2012 | 11:52 AM

Ah, the engagement. It's the time when our love is in full bloom and we want the whole world to know it. Clicking through these photos from AwkwardFamilyPhotos.com -- a site dedicated to showcasing uncomfortably hilarious snaps -- will make you realize just how far love will make you go....

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Awkward Family Photos: Easter 2012 Edition

(79) Comments | Posted April 6, 2012 | 1:22 PM

'Tis the season of pastel bonnets, painted eggs and normal-sized adults wearing giant bunny suits. Which can only lead to one thing -- very awkward family photos. The good news is that all those forced smiles and uncomfortable reactions are also excellent reminders of why spending time with children is...

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Awkward Family Photos: Valentines 2012 Edition

(259) Comments | Posted February 10, 2012 | 9:31 PM

The best medicine for a marital spat is often a healthy dose of laughter. Clicking through these photos from AwkwardFamilyPhotos.com -- a site dedicated to showcasing uncomfortably hilarious snaps -- will bring a smile to both of your faces this Valentine's Day, and ensure you won't go to bed angry...

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How to Take an Awkward Holiday Photo

(502) Comments | Posted December 14, 2011 | 4:45 PM

Well, the most awkward time of the year is upon us and 'tis the season of taking family photos. So, we here at AFP wanted to pass along our knowledge to help you and your family create a memorable and cringe-worthy holiday photo.

Peace & Joy,

Mike & Doug

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Awkward Family Photos: Thanksgiving 2011 Edition

(82) Comments | Posted November 22, 2011 | 1:41 AM

This year, let us give thanks to all of those moments we tried to remember what exactly we're giving thanks for.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Love,
Mike & Doug
AwkwardFamilyPhotos.com
AwkwardFamilyPetPhotos.com

Our new book, Awkward Family Pet Photos, makes the perfect awkward...

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Awkward Family Pet Photos (PHOTOS)

(127) Comments | Posted November 3, 2011 | 8:05 AM

There are few things more rewarding than having a pet. They love us unconditionally, shower us with attention, and actually help us live longer. So, what can possibly be awkward about our animal BFFs? Well . . . nothing. In fact, we're the awkward ones. We adore our pets, but...

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Awkward Family Photos: Halloween 2011 Edition

(19) Comments | Posted October 18, 2011 | 3:40 AM

Happy Halloween from AFP!

To see more awkward Halloween photos, visit awkwardfamilyphotos.com.

The new AWKWARD FAMILY PET PHOTOS book comes out November 1, 2011 and is now available for pre-order at http://awkwardfamilyphotos.com/awkward-books/.

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Awkward Family Photos: Vacation 2011 Edition

(85) Comments | Posted July 13, 2011 | 8:24 AM

It all starts with the best of intentions. Mom and Dad, feeling that the family needs to spend more time together, decide that we should take a vacation ... but between the itineraries, the sunburns, and the sing-alongs, the only thing relaxing about a family vacation is when we finally...

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(1) Comments | Posted July 8, 2011 | 6:33 PM

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Awkward Family Photos: Father's Day 2011 Edition

(63) Comments | Posted June 17, 2011 | 7:34 AM

Happy Father's Day from AFP!

Love,

AwkwardFamilyPhotos.com

The Awkward Family Photos book is available where all books are sold.


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Awkward Family Photos: Mother's Day 2011 Edition

(54) Comments | Posted May 6, 2011 | 1:00 PM

To the woman who brought us into the world and has earned the right to do things her way. Happy Mother's Day!

Love,
AwkwardFamilyPhotos.com

The "Awkward Family Photos" book is available where all books are sold and makes the perfect awkward gift for Mom's big day.

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Awkward Family Photos: Easter Edition (PHOTOS)

(136) Comments | Posted April 24, 2011 | 6:50 AM

It's a time for cuddly bunnies, dressing up in Sunday's best, and decorating the Easter eggs... but then you blow up the adorable bunny to freakish proportions, your Sunday's best is open to interpretation, and those colorful eggs don't make the most festive ornaments and you have the ingredients for...

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Awkward Family Photos: The Wedding Edition (PHOTOS)

(232) Comments | Posted March 30, 2011 | 7:51 AM

It's "the big one"-- the day we commit to spending the rest of our lives with that special someone. Well, with that kind of pressure come lot of awkward moments and fortunately, the wedding photographer is there to capture them all. To celebrate the start of the wedding season, Awkward...

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Awkward Family Christmas Photos (PHOTOS)

(107) Comments | Posted December 16, 2010 | 6:40 AM

'Tis the season of awkwardness -- posing for the holiday card, spending quality time with those relatives who've had one too many egg nogs, and unwrapping another pair of socks. To celebrate the cringiest time of the year, AFP has put together a collection of our favorite awkward holiday memories...

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'Awkward Family Photos': 18 Of The Weirdest Vacation Photographs EVER (PHOTOS)

(99) Comments | Posted September 29, 2010 | 3:51 AM

It all starts with the best of intentions. Mom and Dad, feeling that the family needs to spend more time together, decide that we should take a vacation ... but between the itineraries, the sunburns, and the sing-alongs, the only thing relaxing about a family vacation is when we finally...

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'Awkward Family Photos' Labor Day: 15 Of The Most Awkward Office Photos

(110) Comments | Posted September 6, 2010 | 11:21 AM

They may not be blood related, but that doesn't mean they aren't family. We celebrate birthdays and holidays with our co-workers, spend long weekends together on company retreats, and know way too much about their bathroom schedule. We'd like to recognize our awkward home away from home and the people...

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13 Of The Most Awkward Family Pet Photos

(172) Comments | Posted July 26, 2010 | 6:30 AM

Since starting AwkwardFamilyPhotos.com, we have received so many wonderfully strange family pet photos that we decided they needed a home of their own. Whether it be the whole clan posing with their dogs, dressing up (or being dressed with) their cats, or getting cuddly with a wild animal,...

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Fourth Of July PHOTOS: 'Awkward Family Photos'

(91) Comments | Posted July 3, 2010 | 9:10 AM

The fourth. It's a time for Dad to overcook the burgers, for Mom to to cover us from head to toe in red, white, and blue, and for the whole family to load beach chairs and blankets into the car so we can enjoy the same fireworks show we've seen...

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