Have you ever had professional photos taken of your family? If so, then you know how precious it is to see the faces of your favorite people all together in one photo. If not, then you're missing out on something truly special. 

Family photos have the power to transport you through time and allow you to relive and remember all the ups and downs of each stage in parenthood. Whether you're new to the family photo experience or a seasoned pro, here's why I think you should consider having professional family photos taken every year. 

1) Kids Change So Quickly

One Day you're bringing home that squishy bundle of joy, anticipating all of the adventures that life has in store for this new tiny human. Then, the next day, that tiny human is sitting behind the steering wheel of your car as you teach them how to drive and, before you know it, you're filling that car with boxes, a mini fridge, and their favorite snack foods as they prepare to move out and begin their first adventure into adulthood. Life is so crazy busy with kids in your house that time seems to melt away. I hear parents all the time saying, "gosh, I wish they could stay this little forever." But, alas, kids will eventually grow up. So, take the time to record how they are as they grow. Savor those chubby toddler cheeks. Capture their first "big kid" hair style. Remember them as they blossom from their awkward preteens into young adults, ready to take on life's new challenges. Every year brings something wonderful in their growth. Photographs can help remind you of all the amazing memories of their childhood and help you hold on to their littleness even as they try to conquer the world. 

2) Celebrate Your Family

Sometimes we can get swept up in the rush of life and forget to slow down and cherish what we have in the moment. As we all return to our busy lives post-pandemic shut downs, it's important to remember to celebrate the ones you love and the family that lifts you up and keeps you strong. So, take a pause, step away from school and the office, plan a fun family experience with your family photos, and reflect on the love and joy that your family shares with each other. 

3) Update Your Photo Wall

There are photos of your kids from over the years that you will certainly want to leave up on the wall forever, but it’s also nice to have a family photo that is updated regularly to reflect your family as it is now. In my house, I have a large family photo print surrounded by slightly smaller individual portraits of the kids. I placed them all in frames which makes it easy and relatively inexpensive to change out year after year. I love watching my kids grow through these photos and am amazed at the end of the year how different they are from the previous year’s photos. Let’s update your family photo!

Bonus: An annual family photo can make your yearly Holiday cards a breeze as well ;)

4) Guarantee that Mom (or Dad) is in the Photo

Snapshots of your family hanging out or enjoying a fun vacation are amazing! But, is it always the same person taking the photos? Does your family's photographer show up in the pictures from your vacation? In my house, I'm always the one with the camera (because I love it that way!) and when we travelled before kids, we ended up with a ton of photos of my husband in all of the cool places we visited, but only a few photos of me. Once our kids were born, I realized just how important it was to have photos of them with me too, so I often enlist my husband to take a few frames and help me get in the photo. I want to do this for you! I want to help you get your whole family in a single photo together. I want to catch you snuggling your babies, smooching your spouse, and loving on your family. Someday, your kids are going to cherish the photos of you and them together; that look of pride or love in your eyes will always remind them of the best parts of their childhood. Of the 100s of 1000s of photos I've taken (and had taken) in my life, my favorites are the ones of my dad smiling at me; of me sitting on his lap as a little kid, and of us laughing together. My other favorites are of me and my husband loving our kids and making them giggle too. So, let me give you your favorite photos year after year as your kids grow into wonderful humans. Let me help you make sure that you get in the photos with them! 

Updated January 19, 2024

© Eickhoff Photography