Professional Family Photos: The Big WHY
Growing up, I can remember two times that we ever got professional family photos taken. I remember it being such a fun experience! We would discuss as a family what colors we wanted to wear, we'd spend hours doing our hair and makeup (which my 10 year old self only got to wear on special occasions), and got to spend time bonding together as we had our photos taken. The suspense would build until the moment that we received our final photos, and we'd go through them together, ooh-ing and ahh-ing at the memories we'd captured. What made it all fun was the experience that we got to share. Now as an adult, I smile fondly when I walk past our family photos hanging in my parents' home. My only wish? That we'd done them more often.
We live in a very fast-paced, high-tech world. Everyone has a camera on their phone and schedules that are packed. The easy thing to do is to take pictures with your phone in the rare spaces of free time, usually between activities. I've had people ask me, "Why should I pay to have someone take our photos when I have an excellent camera on my phone?" I have a few answers:
1. It's All About the Experience
As I mentioned before, my favorite part of getting photos done as a family was the experience. From a very early age our kids are used to us taking photos of them on our phones. The "special" gets taken away as it becomes familiar. One day they are eager to see every photo the second after you take it, and then you blink and they are begging you to stop. Getting their picture taken by mom or dad isn't a big deal because it happens every day. When you give them an experience that only happens once a year like getting ready for someone else to take your family photos, the excitement is back! They may not show it (especially the teenagers), but I know looking back they will be glad that you go out of your way to create an experience they can remember fondly.
2. Capturing the Memory Isn't the Same as Being Present in the Memory
This year I became a mom to the most precious little girl. I don't think I truly understood this concept until I had her. As someone who loves to capture memories, I soon realized that I had lots of photos of my sweet little angel, but hardly any WITH her. The rare photos that I had with her were taken by my husband. After 6 months and having only 1 photo of the three of us that wasn't taken in the hospital the day she was born, I saw the problem. I know that years down the road my daughter will want photos with both of her parents, not just with her Daddy with me behind the camera. She won't just want photos that a random person takes outside of church or a restaurant, but real, high-quality photos that she can be proud to show off or frame in her home. I want her to have photos that capture the loving look that her dad and I give her when she smiles at us. These moments deserve for you to be present and not having to be the one behind the camera. We had a photographer friend take some photos for us in the fall and they are my favorite photos we have as a family so far! Yes, it is convenient to be able to take pictures, even nice pictures on your iPhone, but there's just something about allowing someone else to do the picture-taking so you can be present with your kids.
3. You Can Leave Them Things to Treasure
One day your kids will grow up. They will move out and have a place of their own. They may get married and start their family. When they come back to your home to visit, what will they enjoy looking back at? What will they want to show their kids? What will they want to tell stories about? What will you have framed and displayed that they can smile at as they pass by? My guess is it won't be just photos you took on your phone. When you invest in professional family photos, you are investing in something that your kids can keep and enjoy forever. When you receive your high-quality photos, you can frame them or put them in an album. You can display them in various creative ways. Your kids want something they can treasure, especially after you pass on. I have friends that lost a parent sooner than expected and I know they wish they had those special photos to hold dear. Give your kids something to treasure for years to come.
If you've been on the fence about whether or not to get family photos done, I would highly recommend it. Take the time to capture memories that you and your kids can hold onto forever!
