There was once a time when photos were only taken for special occasions or documentation for future generations. There was a time when you had to make every photo count because you could only fit so many photos on a roll of film. And now, you can have over 21,000 photos AND videos on your phone of your baby sleeping, of what you had for lunch, that weird new mole on your foot, that phone number you don’t want to forget, or anything else you can imagine. In this world where photos are everywhere, and you can take photos of your family all day every day, why should you bother to pay a photographer and go through all the trouble to take family photos? Here are seven simple reasons:
They get the whole family together.
Between work, school, appointments, practices, games, and recitals, it’s easy for families to live in the same house and feel like they never see each other. Family photos are a great reason for your family to take time out from normal life and spend time reconnecting with no distractions in the way other than the pesky photographer giving you directions. Go out afterward and grab an ice cream or go to a movie. Make a day of it!
They commemorate special occasions.
Even in today’s world, photos are still a great way to document the special moments in your life and pass down the celebrations for generations to come. Anniversaries. New babies. Rainbow babies. Graduations. Engagements. Weddings. New jobs. New milestones. These are all great reasons to dress up and have a proper photo taken.
They document growth.
I don’t need to tell you that your family is growing and changing constantly. You get one family photo taken, and before you know it, three more kids are born and the baby in the original picture is heading to middle school. Annual family photos are a fun tradition and a great way to document and celebrate those changes. Pick a date or month on your calendar and commit to having photos taken every year at the same time.
They boost self-esteem.
Psychologists have indicated that having family pictures around the home can boost a child’s self-esteem and sense of worth. Printing photos and putting them in your child’s room can increase his/her sense of safety and connectedness. It’s especially important for the parent(s) to be in the picture. I know it’s easier to take pictures of the kids all day and leave yourself out of it, and that’s why it’s even more important to have a professional family photo taken that you can all feel good about when you see it every day.
They make your house homier.
Pictures of you and your family around the house make it feel more like home. They help you remember special moments, which can decrease stress and increase your connectedness. A gallery wall of images from one shoot or several years’ worth of photos can be a great conversation piece and walk down memory lane.
They make great gifts.
What grandmother wouldn’t love another picture of her kids and grandkids? You can use your photos to make calendars, mugs, blankets, cards, or anything else you can think of for a gift. Or simply print and frame it. It makes the holidays so much easier. And going with a professional photographer means you are sure to get crystal clear, high-quality prints.
They freeze time.
Time is a thief, and life changes when we least expect it. Capture the good times so that when the hard times come, you have something that you can see and smile about every day. Having photos in your phone is nice but having a frame-worthy photo on your wall where you pass by it every day will help you feel less alone.
As a photographer, I hear a lot of concerns about the cost of professional photos, but I always remind my clients that their photos are an investment. You are investing in a family heirloom that will be printed out and passed down, not lost forever on an electronic device. You are investing in a happier, more peaceful home. You are investing in your family.
If you’re in the DFW area, and you’re interested in family photos, you can follow my Facebook and Instagram accounts or click here for more information.