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Amanda Cooper, a travel and fashion influencer, unintentionally sparked an online debate after sharing her family’s holiday photo that came with a cheeky twist. Cooper and her siblings discreetly flipped off the camera during a professional family portrait, blending humor with a wholesome family tradition.
Image credits: amandak_cooper
The photo, posted to her Instagram on December 6, initially appeared to be a classic holiday card moment: an outdoor scene featuring Amanda, her siblings, their spouses, and children all dressed in color-coordinated outfits. However, the humor emerged upon closer inspection, as several family members were subtly flipping the bird at the camera.
Image credits: amandak_cooper
In the caption, Amanda joked about her mom’s insistence on annual family photos, writing: “When your mom/mother-in-law makes you take professional family pictures 3 times a year…” She even shared close-up shots to highlight the hidden prank.
Image credits: amandak_cooper
Despite Amanda’s fears, her mother, Melynda King, who is famously particular about maintaining a picture-perfect family aesthetic, found the prank hilarious.
“When Amanda sent me the video, I couldn’t stop laughing,” Melynda told Today on December 10. “I thought it was absolutely hilarious.”
Image credits: amandak_cooper
Amanda explained that her mom’s dedication to perfect family portraits often included specifying what everyone should wear: “Last year, she even went to Home Depot to pick out paint sample cards with acceptable colors!”
Image credits: amandak_cooper
Amanda seized the moment for some light-hearted rebellion, persuading her siblings to join the prank using a code word during the shoot. Just before the photographer clicked the mischievous shot, Amanda called out, “Everyone say, ‘I want a hippopotamus for Christmas!’”
Image credits: amandak_cooper
While some social media users applauded the creativity, others criticized the prank as disrespectful.
One user commented: “I promise you the photographer didn’t just take this one picture. Relax and lighten up!” Meanwhile, others questioned if such humor belonged in family holiday cards.
Amanda defended the move, explaining that it was just one shot in a series of photos. “I got my nice Christmas card,” she said, “But my husband insists we send the middle finger one to our best friends—he thinks it’s the best picture we’ve ever taken.”
Image credits: amandak_cooper
While the prank drew mixed reactions, Amanda maintained that it was all in good fun and done with her mom’s prior approval.
Image credits: lindsay.persons
The moment has become a talking point about balancing the seriousness of family traditions with lighthearted moments of humor. For Amanda, this playful twist only added to the charm of this year’s holiday memories.
