You’ve probably heard it before – “don’t forget to take yearly family photos!” and as a Spokane family photographer, I 100% agree. But WHY are family photos a must have? Here are some of the reasons people invest thousands of dollars in family portrait and lifestyle sessions, and why they are invaluable to your family.

You only live once (YOLO, right?)

You and your family will reach milestones that (this is going to sound cliche, but it’s true) are once-in-a-lifetime events. No matter how much we wish for time to slow down, it keeps pressing on. You and your family will continue growing together, hitting many milestones along the way that are special and worth documenting. You kids only grow up once!

Memories fade over time, but family portraits last forever

As much as we try to hold onto important memories throughout our lives, sometimes memories fade, no matter how special those moments are to us in the present. One of the reasons I became a family photographer is so that I can freeze a memory in its tracks create timeless images for my clients, so that even 30 years into the future, they can look back at the images and be brought back to the very moment of their toddlers running circles around them, kissing the peach fuzz on their newborn’s head, and consoling their crying child with the promise of ice cream. These are the memories that I help clients remember when time begins to fade them.

You want to be IN the photos with your family

One of the biggest regrets I hear parents tell me when their kids are all grown up is that they wish they had stepped out from behind their phone cameras to be in the photos with their family. Capturing photos of our kids is incredible, and also moments worth saving. It’s also important to get on the other side of the camera and capture the moments spent with you playing with your kids, holding their hands, kissing your baby. I know it’s hard to work up the nerve to step in front of the camera, but I promise you – you will not regret being in photos with your kiddos.

They’re fun!

Don’t get me wrong, family photos can be stressful sometimes – getting all the kids and partner dressed up and ready to go, convincing your children to smile for the camera, and working through the nerves of being in front of the camera. BUT it doesn’t have to be all stressful – family photos can be SO fun too! If this sounds like you, look for a family photographer who is ready to capture your family as is – boogers, tears, hugs, and laughter! As a family photographer, my style and ultimate goal is to document whatever chapter you’re in, which means that we might get one or two photos smiling at the camera, but the majority of your session is all about your family personality. You’ll play, cuddle, laugh, console, and just be. By the time you get your photos, I’ll have documented you as a family (not you as a stock photo stiff smiling family from the cover of a Macy’s magazine – you as yourselves). If you’re worried about a stressful session, check out my blog post on how to prepare for your family photo session.

If you’re looking to book a stress-free family photo session with a family photographer in Spokane, Washington or the nearby area, I would love to work with you to document your family through a storytelling lens and help you preserve this chapter in your lives. Contact me by filling out this form, or send me an email at taywhitephotography@gmail.com. I look forward to meeting you!