Why Family Photos Matter: A Mom and Family Photographer’s Perspective

Oct 2

2 min read

Becoming a Mom: Why I Believe in Capturing the Chaos

Becoming a mom has been one of the most wonderful—and difficult—journeys my husband and I have ever experienced.

Having my own photography business and being able to work around my kiddos has truly been such a blessing. Photography is a passion of mine, and owning my business allows me to make time for something I love while still being present for the people I love most.

And sometimes, my kids become my test subjects for new ideas! They have probably been photographed more times than they would like to admit. But honestly, they have helped me become a better family photographer because I get it.

I get that sometimes just getting everyone dressed and out the door is the biggest accomplishment of the day.

I get the struggle of trying to get everyone looking nice, while also hoping they stay that way until the end of the session.

I get that kids don't always want to cooperate—and that sometimes the best photos happen when you stop trying to make them.

More often than not, our family sessions end with someone playing in a sand pit, finding a mud puddle, or doing something completely different than what I had envisioned.

And you know what?

That's okay.

Those moments are part of your family.

We always wanted a bigger family, and we are so incredibly thankful for our three kiddos. We truly can't imagine our life without them. Of course, it's hard some days. There are messy days, exhausting days, and days when everyone seems to need something from me at the exact same time.

But there are also the days that I know I will miss someday.

Looking back through the photographs I've taken over the years—or even the photos captured by photographer friends like Emily Saunders Photography—I am so grateful that I have those memories documented.

My kids love looking back at old pictures. They love seeing what they looked like, what they wore, what they were interested in, and the things they used to love doing.

Those photographs have become more than just pictures to us. They are little pieces of our family history.

And that's one of the biggest reasons I believe so strongly in what I do.

Capture your family.

Capture the messy hair. The missing teeth. The favorite stuffed animal that has to come everywhere. The silly faces. The cuddles. The chaos. The mud on their clothes. The way your toddler refuses to smile for the camera but laughs when you aren't looking.

Capture them while they are little and growing, because you will never get this version of them back.

I know this because I am living it, too.

I'm not just a photographer telling you to take the pictures.

I'm a mom who knows how quickly it all goes.

So bring your kids exactly as they are. Let them play. Let them be silly. Let them get a little messy.

I'll capture the beautiful moments—and the real ones, too.

Because someday, those are the photographs you'll be most thankful you have.