After editing a family session tonight, I was inspired to do a quick blog about it.
When I photograph family photos that include children, parents already know that it is not going to be an easy task for them...from picking out clothes and getting their children out the door to getting their kids to stay still or smile. I can speak from personal experience that I try to coordinate perfect outfits, plan the perfect time of day, make sure my son is clean and his hair is perfect, and let me tell you my personal family photos usually never go "as planned."
But let me just tell you, while the perfectly posed family portraits are beautiful...the most beautiful moments are the real ones. You know why...because those are real memories. When your children are grown and out the door, will you remember them standing perfectly still in a perfect position with a smile on their face? No...You will remember the giggles, the kisses, the dirty hands and muddy clothes, the rocks thrown and the rock castles you built...you will remember the time you tried to take a photo with your spouse and your little ones sneak attack you with a kisses and hugs...you will remember getting them dressed in tiny clothes and putting on their tiny shoes. You will remember it being hard and crazy and fun and amazing all at once. Those are the moments and feelings that I want to freeze, the memories that I want to preserve for families...so parents can look back and smile and remember their care-free and happy tiny creations! So for your next family portraits, try not to stress...things may not go as planned, but I promise they will be beautiful memories.
