How many times have you been scrolling through your phone or social media when you come across some old family photos that make you smile? Whenever I find an old photo of our family I show it to my husband and say “Look! We were just babies!” When we look at these photographs they always bring back a flood of memories. They remind us of whatever was happening in our lives in that time.

It’s no secret that family photographs hold a special place in our hearts. The power of photographs is that they are a tangible, visual representation our lives, our loves and our shared experiences.

But for many women (and men!), the thought having their photos taken can stir up a host of insecurities. If you’re feeling hesitant about scheduling your next family photo session, you’re not alone.

I have so many friends that struggle to see what others around them see when they look at their photographs. Today, let’s explore these feelings and discover why getting in front of the camera can still be a sweet and rewarding experience for you and your family.

Acknowledging Your Insecurities

Before we talk about the value of documenting your family throughout the years, Iet’s understand the feelings that might be getting us stuck. I recently had Aiden capture some new headshots of me for branding purposes. When I looked at the back of my camera my first comment was, “That’s what I look like?” 😊 He quickly responded “it’s okay, photographers just aren’t photogenic”. Thanks kid! Since deciding to let my grey hair grow in I am still surprised to see the person looking back at me on the screen. That, along with the every growing number of laugh lines, can make me feel hesitant to document my life in pictures. I would say my clients number one concern is how they are going to appear in their photographs. Perhaps you are worried about:

• Appearance: You might be concerned about your weight, the way your clothes fit, your greying hair and wrinkles (no? just me? 😋)
• Self-Image: Maybe you are feeling the pressure we all get from media that we must look like a certain standard in order to be accepted and feel beautiful.
• Family Dynamics: There could be feelings of apprehension around how your family will come across in photos or concerns that the experience will be stressful and result in a melt down…or two.

First, these feelings are valid. Clients often comment after a session is over about how much they were worried about how or what their kids would do. Second, our personal insecurities are often rooted in our own expectations of ourselves. Then we add on what we think others expect from us too, and can get ourselves in a spiral. The first step in moving past those thoughts is to acknowledge them.

Validating Your Feelings

It’s important to remember that if you have a heartbeat, you probably have insecurities. That is part and parcel of being human. So in light of that, what do you do? The key is to recognize that these concerns need to be weighed against the value of preserving memories for you and your family. If we can see the value of capturing these moments in time then we can come to a place of accepting that we all have our flaws, but we are also loved and treasured by our families.

Now I want you to go back and look at old photographs of your family and think back to the insecurities that you had at the time. I am going to guess that those are not what you dwell on when you look at the picture now. Often, the things you were worried about at the time fade away, leaving only a cherished memory in its place. The imperfections you might see now are part of what makes your story unique and real. And aren’t we all longing for something real these days?

Why Family Photos Are Worth It

Now that we have address the elephant in the room, let’s shift the focus to why family photos are such a valuable investment, even if you’re feeling uncertain.

1. Capturing Precious Memories

Family photos are more than just images; they are visual records of your life and the people who matter most to you. They capture moments of joy, love and connection that are fleeting and go unnoticed in day-to-day life. Years from now, these photos will serve as a beautiful reminder of the life you lived together.

2. Celebrating Your Unique Story

A family photo session is a great time to put what makes your family special on display in a beautiful way. Are you an active family? Capture that! Are you more quiet and reserved? Tell that story! You can tailor your family session to reflect who you are and tell the story of your own family.

3. Strengthening Family Bonds

The prep work for a family photo session can be collaborative and fun! You can involve your family members and your photographer to design a session that has the whole family is on board. Kids tend to be more cooperative when they have been part of the process from the beginning. You can turn family photos from something they dread to an activity that they are excited to be part of.

4. Creating a Legacy

Family photos become part of your family’s legacy. They will be on display of the walls of your home. They will make an appearance in the decor at your kids weddings. Eventually they will be the visual history that is treasured by all who loved you when you are no longer here with them. They are handed down from generation to generation and with them the story of your family.

5. Embracing Your Authentic Self

In a world that has ever changing standards of what is beautiful and what is not, family photos provide an opportunity to create something that is real. You can celebrate the love and connection that your family experiences and that reward truly outweighs any of our perceived flaws.

In Conclusion

Family photos are more than just a task to check off the to-do list every few years. They are an investment in your family for now and for the future. They are a visual way to celebrate the people you love and preserve the life you share for years to come. Despite any insecurities you might have, taking these photos is an opportunity to create memories with your family that you will have for years to come.

If you are ready to capture these special moments and create a beautiful keepsake, we would love to serve you as your family photographers. At Laura Perron photography we are here to make the process as enjoyable and fun as possible. Let’s create something beautiful together.

And remember that while you are in the process, be kinder to yourself than necessary. Feel free to get in touch with us here.