Why (or why not) Get Family Photos!

So as a family photographer, I’m biased. Of course I think it’s a great idea to have family photos taken! You can even read about how I prepped my own family for our photos! But here, I interview a few other moms to find out why they chose to have family photos taken!

“A little bit bigger – and a bit more chaotic”

Mckayla of Everyday She Moms has such an amazing perspective!

“I absolutely love being able to see the growth year over year, especially since they’re done around the same time every year. I also didn’t have the same growing up, and as a child who didn’t particularly enjoy being in photos, there’s not many of me where I’m actually looking at the camera and I wanted to make sure there were some of my littles to look back on.”

Now I absolutely love that she is thinking about the legacy we are leaving our children. As a child, I remember so clearly looking through my “baby’s first year” photo album. With how easy it is to snap a few photos these days, it’s easy to forget the value they hold. not only setting aside a dedicated time for family photos but printing them for albums or your walls.

“Seriously, it’s harder than you think!”

Choosing a photographer can be more involved than you’d expect. Not only do you have to find someone whose style you love you need to find someone who you feel values align with your families. Some photographers create perfectly posed portraits. Others are better at those candid moments. Depending on the age of your children and their personalities, you’ll have to select a photographer accordingly.

Katie of KT Likes Coffee understood the importance of this. “I’ve used two different photographers for family photos and both have been amazing. I think part of the reason for that is doing research and picking good photographers that I know will mesh well with my family.”

Another mom, Stephanie, of Stephanie Creates Blank had the opposite experience. Unfortunately she has worked with photographers that were less than great with her children and she ultimately received a subpar product. She emphasized the importance of knowing the photographers style of working, and their experience working, especially when working with children! “Some are no nonsense and don’t seem great with kids,” she noted in her interview.

Katie also mentions that the hardest thing was getting everyone dressed and ready. “Seriously it’s harder than you think!”. Katie, I totally get it. My little ones are 2 and 4. I have a few ideas for fall family outfits if you’re like most families and have photos taken in the fall! But a quick reminder, just check with your photographer! We always have outfit suggestions, and many of us have client closets to choose from to make things even easier!

“It makes all the stress worth it”

Amy, Founder of Genius Mom Hacks talks about the stress of family photos being worth it for the end result. “Even when you feel that photo session didn’t go well, the kids didn’t “behave” or smile like you wanted them too, a good professional photographer will always find a way to produce some of the most beautiful pictures of your family you have ever seen. And it makes all the stress worth it.”

Without knowing it, Amy has summed up my photography motto! You’ve probably heard me say before “Your entire session won’t be picture perfect, but I will get you a gallery of images that are.” Your kids jumping around making crazy noises won’t look so crazy in a photo. It will just look like their adorable smiles that you love!

Another writer, Nicole, of Behind the Classroom, notes how a rough photography session still ended in her loving her photos! “When we took our maternity photos for our second – my 2 year old daughter hated when I was getting photographed by myself and was having meltdowns when she wasn’t involved. They still turned out amazing!”

What it all means

After interviewing many moms, I have a few main takeaways.

Do your research!

In addition to loving your photographers style, make sure to note the age of the kids they usually photograph. Do they tend to have happy toddlers running and smiling, or are they older children in a more posed environment. Make sure to choose someone that will fit your family dynamic – and definitely chat with them to get a feel for their vibe!

Manage your expectations

Now, I don’t mean “be prepared to not love your photos”, because with the right photographer you will! I mean come into your session knowing there might be a little chaos. But as family photographers, this is often where we thrive. Don’t apologize for your kids being themselves. The right photographer is going to embrace that, and give you the right prompts to nurture and nudge those wild moments into beautiful images you’d be proud to hang on your wall.