- to use an old family picture from last Christmas (which is outdated at best) or;
- use some candid shot of us that is rare at best, because not many times do I get in the photo as much of the time I am taking the photos.
Finding a professional for family portraits is important for a number of reasons. First of all, candid shots are usually missing at least one member of the family. Most of the time, one or both parents are behind the camera, and are therefore missing from the preserved memory. With professional portraits, all members of the family are represented. Plus, professional photos provide families with the opportunity to look their best and display their unique dynamics, personalities and more.
When to Have Portraits Made
Basically, any time is a good time to have portraits made. As a rule, it’s a good idea to have pictures taken at least once a year, and this is especially true for families with babies and young children. Kids grow astonishingly fast, so waiting too long between portrait sittings can mean a lot of missed opportunities to create timeless keepsakes for your family. In addition to yearly family portraits, events like the following are great opportunities for professional photos:
- A new addition to the family. Having a new baby in the family is an extremely joyous occasion, one you’ll want to preserve forever in the form of professional family photos.
- Holidays. Annual photos are great to send out with Christmas cards and holiday greetings. Go for a traditional holiday look, or mix it up with silly sweaters or other quirky ideas.
- Family events. Weddings, engagements, anniversaries, birthdays and other family occasions are all great opportunities to have family portraits made.
How to Prepare for Your Family Portraits
When it comes to preparing for portraits, it’s important to understand your options regarding factors like setting, location, theme, etc. For example, do you prefer casual photos, or are you going for a more formal look? Are you planning on a silly photo shoot, or would you rather your portraits be more serious in nature? Indoor or outdoor? At your home, in the studio or on-location?
The options, as they say, are limitless. Be sure to talk to your photographer about any ideas you may have, as communication is key to great photos. If you’re unsure about the kind of photos you’d like to have made, consider unique ideas like the following:
- Professional “candid” shots. Instead of sitting stiffly and smiling at the camera, consider a natural setting (like your home or a park) in which a photographer snaps candid shots of your family.
- Reflect your interests. Does your family love baseball? Consider a ballpark photo shoot. Are you a family of readers? Think about having portraits made in a study or library. You get the idea.
- Pictures within pictures. This is a great way to include family members who are either no longer with us or were unable to make it to the photo session. It can also be cute for parents to hold photos of children, or vice versa.
Now that you know the importance of family portraits, don’t waste any more time! Book a session today, and enjoy those memories for years to come.
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vitatrain4life says
Oh my gosh you guys look GREAT in that family shot with the hay bales – too cute!!! We have NEVER taken a professional family photo. I love getting candid ones on trips we take, and that's what I use when the boys need a "family" shot. Although I did have professional ones taken of the boys when they were three months old and they hang in various places around the house. I'm SO glad I got those done!!
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Janine Huldie says
Thank you so much Allie and we did have one of us from the summer time when we went to our local water park, but we were all in bathing suits and didn't know if that would have been entirely appropriate. So thanking god we had this one taken to use 🙂
massholemommy says
We don't do portraits like this per se, but we go to Disney every year and always get a few family photos taken there, so at least i have those when the kids need pictures for school.
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Janine Huldie says
Robin, I love the Disney photos and if we had gone would have tried to do that and use if I could, too 🙂
ginnymarie says
When my kids were younger, I was much better about having a professional photo taken every year!
I like your photo with the hay bales, too. It's cute!
My recent post Rear Ended in a Rental Car in California
Janine Huldie says
I was totally good with this for the first few years of the girl's lives and even dying the craziest of times, but this year seriously got away from me, but I am holding myself to not let it get from me this year now 🙂
The Vanilla Housewife says
I will remember to get a pro to take our family photo this year. Our family photo last Christmas was taken using a phone camera and I wasn't too happy with the result. Pssh
Janine Huldie says
I now Jhanis and trust me, I seriously was sorry that I ditched the family photo last year, too and that is why I will be getting one done this year for sure now, as well 🙂
April G says
We didn’t do one either. We haven’t taken a family picture since Bee was 5 months old, so actually two years. It sucks. My SIL was supposed to be setting up a big family picture during Christmas but it never happened. We have to do one soon.
Janine Huldie says
I know time just truly gets away from me too and I hoping like I said to do this, too this year.
Amanda Love says
We didn't get to do family portraits for Christmas 2013 either since we weren't even the country but I've stopped doing them yearly. I do need to get one done asap since this is Krxssy's last year with us since she's heading off to college so it would be nice to have a photo with us all. Thanks for the reminder. btw that photo looked great!
My recent post The Ultimate Baby & Toddler Giveaway
Janine Huldie says
I totally understand why you didn't, but still glad to give you the reminder for this year here and I can't believe Krxssy is going off to college. Crazy, but so exciting!! And thank you for your kind words on the picture and just glad I remembered we had it, because I felt so bad that I wouldn't have much for Emma to share.
Diane Roark says
Janine,
Good morning! I love seeing your family pics. Kevin's job did great with the fall family photo. I know what you mean about having a family picture. We normally get one every year but did not this past year. It seems like I always need one to share too and I do not have a good picture.
Have a great day!
Diane Roark
My recent post Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop 3/12
Janine Huldie says
Diane, it seems that a few of us didn't do one last year and at the very least I feel a bit better knowing I was in good company, but going to definitely try better this upcoming year, too. Have a wonderful day, as well now!! 🙂
Billybuc says
You know, I'm not sure I have ever sat through a family photo….I don't even remember it when I was a kid. I hadn't thought of that until I read this….well good for you. Keep building memories…they are so important.
Good luck with the weather today; I hope it isn't too brutal.
Janine Huldie says
Bill, I know we didn't do much of the family type portraits here when we were kids either, but still somehow we got a family picture here and there. That said probably why I let it go this past year, but then did realize from this experience how much I missed the family picture and need to make sure to indeed make the time for it. Thanks again and so far not a bad day today, still on the warm side, but tomorrow supposed to get cold and possible snow. I guess winter doesn't want to leave quite yet. Hope you are enjoying your day so far, too 🙂
ashleyinnc says
I think the picture you used is ADORABLE and perfect for the "About Me" project. Would it help you feel a little better to know that when Abby did her "About Me" project this year (that would be kindergarten) the family photo I had to send in was from when she was 6 months old. I know, right?! 😉 Time to get on that!-Ashley
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Janine Huldie says
You already knew I loved you, but seriously thank you for sharing this with me, because you did totally make me feel better. It sounds like we both have to get on then very soon now 🙂
anothercleanslate says
I guess I'll just need some glamour shots of myself in my little family of one 😉
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Janine Huldie says
I think your glamour shots would come out perfect, because you are beautiful, but I will also add before I met Kevin it was truly me, myself, and I, too here!
mamarabia says
We;ve always had trouble getting family shots too, for the same reason. My husband's schedule is so different from ours that it's hard to find a time when he's around and we're all awake. I even had a good friend who's a photographer and has been really flexible with times and it's still hard. Some times our best best is to get someone at church to take a photo near the altar flowers on a random Sunday!
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Janine Huldie says
And this when I lived closer to someone who is a photographer and would do this for use, because my husband is a photographer himself, but he needs to be in the photo. Thanks Rabia for sharing that it isn't just us either 🙂
Rosey says
Both of those family pictures are rocking awesome!!! Your girls are cute as they can be. 🙂
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Janine Huldie says
Aww, thanks so much Rosey and I am prejudice with my girls as you know, but still can't help, but love them to pieces!! 🙂
day-with-kt.com says
We do the yearly family pictures in December, too. Except this year we went with one from last summer. I had the same blunder moment when I realized that our wall gallery will be missing a year – oh, well!!!
I love the picture you ended up using!!!
My recent post THINK
Janine Huldie says
Thank you Kim and you also made me feel a bit better too today, because I really thought as I was writing this that I would be the only one who let time get away from me last year.
realhousewife says
I am really terrible about this…I love taking photos but I fight portraits:) lol. Is weird too because my mom is also like that so I think I'm gonna have to blame her!!
Janine Huldie says
When in doubt blame mom, Kelly! At least that is what my kids and husband do! 🙂
tamaralikecamera says
Well you know I am ALL FOR this. And not just because it's how I make money. As a mom, I need to book some for myself too, with a local photographer I like.
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Janine Huldie says
I know you totally are and seriously as I was writing this, I was wishing you lived closer, because I would so hire you for this in a heartbeat!! 🙂
irkedmommy says
Cute family portrait! You think yours is out of date? Our last family portrait was taken 2 years ago. Oops, I should schedule a new one!
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Janine Huldie says
Thanks Echo and I am feeling a bit better hearing from you and others today. So, can't thank you enough for sharing with me 🙂
stephrufa says
I totally hear you about family pics, I don't have any of all of us that are very recent. It's sad. I'm never in front of the camera with my kids or husband. This is a great reminder – I need to do this now!
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Janine Huldie says
I know I usually am not in front of the camera either, Stephanie and truly is sad. So, I am truly needing to do this, too as I said.
stephanie2006 says
We have family pictures taken every holiday season. For exactly those reasons 🙂 I love the picture you used, and I bet there were others, too, who did not have a professional picture for this project!
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Janine Huldie says
Probably right Stephanie, but totally felt awful when I realized I didn't have a professional family picture to send in for her. Total mommy guilt moment for sure!
Kristi Campbell says
we've had family photos done every year except this past one and I regret that. So many of my photos are of Tucker and Robert because I am ALWAYS behind the camera. Always. Or, every once in a while, I'll ask Robert to take one of me and Tucker and then it's blurry, or otherwise awful. I think the one you chose for Emma's school project is really good! Everybody's smiling and looking at the camera, which is a huge win, Janine!!
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Janine Huldie says
Kristi, I love the way you put this and are right that everyone is smiling and looking at the camera is a huge win. But you are right, I too am usually behind the camera or Kevin will take the picture, so we are never really in the picture together either.
dishofdailylife says
We are terrible about doing them. We used to do them when the kids were younger…as they have gotten older, it has gotten harder and harder to find a time when everyone can be together…near impossible. We are going to try to do one this summer when all my husband's siblings are home, because we are going to do a huge portrait then.
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Janine Huldie says
Love that you are doing a huge family one this summer and hope you will share with us when you do, too 🙂
Nellie says
I LOVE that picture of you guys — so CUTE!! I ran into the same exact problem a few months ago—my sons preschool requested a family photo and there was none to be found. I had to get a really old one!! We need to do better! Thanks for the great reminder!
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Janine Huldie says
Aww, thanks Nellie. And will say that deep down I am happy to have this in common with you, because it is just really nice to know it isn’t just me. And we do need to do better now 🙂
Justin Knight says
I love the "semi-professional" photo of you guys- you all look so happy! My wife is the one who nags and drags my son and I to the mall to get our picture taken. I hate going, but love the results!
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Janine Huldie says
Aww, thanks so much Justin and I usually do a bit of nagging on this myself, but this past year got away from me and this is what ended up happening as a result 🙂
Brittnei Washington says
I definitely want to get our pictures taken some day soon! We haven't done a family portrait yet. Looking forward to it after reading about your experience 🙂
My recent post Letters to My First Born: 20 and 21 months
Janine Huldie says
Will totally share, because we are so dong this this year, promise!! 🙂
another jennifer says
I haven't been good about family portraits. I think it's a great idea to set up something on an annual basis. Your photos look great!
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Janine Huldie says
Thanks Jennifer and I have to be better as you know this year, too 🙂
Sandy_Ramsey says
You should feel better when I tell you that the last time we had a family photo taken I was pregnant with Jake. He's 10 now :/
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Janine Huldie says
I do totally feel better and thank you Sandy!! 🙂
@sporadictweets says
Since my husband is a photographer, he will never hire one. But I love "candid" photo shots. I have one someone took of us at the beach last year. Christopher would kill me for sharing it because he doesn't have a shirt on, but I LOVE it so much. We were getting ready to "pose" and we were discussing how we were going to pose and that is the best picture. Those studio photos with plain backgrounds from back in the day are SO boring. They don't tell a story.
Janine Huldie says
My husband also is a photographer, but he can't take a pic of all of us with himself included so that is why he is dead set on having at least one picture a year that we are all in together for better or worse. And love that you have that picture of all you, not shirt or not! 🙂
pfchico says
Your family is so sweet. 🙂 These are beautiful photos. I love the timer setting on our camera for family photos, otherwise it would just be a lot of pics of my husband and my daughter. Lol!
Janine Huldie says
Need to see if my camera has that now that you mentioned it 🙂
notinjersey says
we usually try to get a family photo when we're on vacation or somewhere special, but there have definitely been times where I need a good one of all of us and just don't have one!
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Janine Huldie says
I know it is so hard to get all of us looking good sometimes at the same time!
spiritedlife says
We haven't taken family pictures for years. The last set of family pictures was when Bee was five months old. Now, she's two and we have another addition to the family! My SIL was supposed to be setting something up for Christmas, but it never happened. Thanks for the reminder for me and the rest of Countdown in Style.
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Janine Huldie says
Happy for the reminder and hope that you can get the pictures done soon, too 🙂
gigigirl says
Just catching up with your posts…..good suggestions for family portraits and it is important when the children are young. They do grow so fast and having the photos shows the progress. I love the Canon photo…..you all look so happy and relaxed. No need to reply to this…..love and xxoo
Janine Huldie says
Aww, thanks again so much Aunt Gloria and seriously very much appreciate you always reading and all your support. Means the world to me! Love you xoxo 🙂