Did you grow up taking family photos? Are family photos really worth it?
One thing that we can certainly say is that family photography has evolved. Gone are the days of itchy tights and stiff smiles from Olan Mills that dominated most of our childhoods. Nowadays, we have options to hire photographers who focus on beautiful, outdoor scenery and candid, meaningful moments. The thought of family photos can be daunting, though. People often ask,
What will we wear?
How the heck will I get everyone out of the house on time?
When should I take family photos?
Are family photos really worth it?
I’m here to tell you that, YES! They absolutely are! Here are four great reasons why despite the chaos, you should make it a priority to get your family in front of a camera at least once a year.
You are investing in memories.
As a photographer, it always blows my mind when people will spend hundreds of dollars on a single meal or a hotel room for one night, but they won’t invest when it comes to quality heirlooms that will last a literal lifetime. Your images that you take during your kids’ childhood are going to be all that they have left of you one day. Sad and scary to think about, but many of us who have lost family members know that this is all too true. I lost my father at thirteen to pancreatic cancer. My mother made me a photo album comprised of images of my father from his childhood to until he passed, and it is one of my most treasured possessions. I love looking at the album from time to time to see my dad again and relive the amazing memories we had together. I’m so thankful that my grandparents and parents preserved them for me.
They make great home decor.
What looks better on your walls than a beautiful photo of you kissing your sweet baby? Family photos make the absolute best wall decor. When people come into your home and see them adorning the walls, it’s like instant happiness. Plus, they make great decor and gifts for your loved ones, too.
Kids grow way too fast.
Have you ever been sitting down, flipping through your iPhone when you suddenly come across an old photo of your child? What about when Facebook super rudely shows you memories from a certain number of years ago to the day? It is the moments like these that make us realize how fast time really does pass and how quickly our kids change. When I started taking first day of school and last day of school photos of my children, that’s when I really noticed the difference. They grew so much, even over the course of that small school year. Photos are a way for us to become superheroes of freezing time and be able to look at ALL the incredible details that we love so much about our kids. Remember when he was missing a tooth? Or when she went through a phase where she only wanted her hair in braids? Photographs have that magic ability to capture our kids in this season of life, just as they are.
You’ll change, too, Mama.
Remember when I referenced the photo album of my dad? My absolute favorite pictures in those albums are the ones of us as a family throughout the years. I absolutely love seeing my mom holding me in her arms, my dad by her side, and just marveling at how beautiful she is. If you’ve heard the expression by CS Lewis, “It’s funny how day to day nothing seems to change, but when you look back, everything is different,” then you know exactly that feeling I’m describing.
We look at ourselves in the mirror every single day.
We hug and kiss our kids every day, too, not realizing those subtle differences.
We as moms, though, are growing up with our babies. It’s nice to preserve this season for us, too.
What do you think? Are family photos really worth it?
