Why Photos Matter More with Time
Family photos are about so much more than the aesthetic. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good look. I obsess over color palettes. I plan my own family photos with a general idea of where I want to hang them in our home- and I want it to pass the vibe check. But there is a certain feeling I’m after when we work together.
I want your photos to feel nostalgic. When you look at them, I hope you feel a little wistful for this time in your life. I want that elusive, bittersweet feeling that every moment is fleeting, and thank goodness we captured this one before it’s over.
Did you know that when you trigger nostalgia, it increases self-esteem, optimism, and comfort (especially if you’re feeling lonely or stressed)?
I hope you look back on these photos and smile at your kid’s antics, and feel
in awe of the little details. The baby curls that never last, how your child only wore the color blue for a year, or the shy teen smile when they’re just a little too cool.
Family photos are an investment in that feeling for your future self. It’s going through the photo box with your college kids and sparking some of your favorite memories. It’s showing your grandchildren what their parents looked like as children and telling stories about the shenanigans they got into. It’s looking back at photos of you and your partner when you were young in your life together and appreciating how far you’ve come.
The key ingredient to creating that nostalgia during a family session is creating the space for genuine connection to come through. It’s capturing the micro expressions in the in-between moments. It’s why I worry about the aesthetic details so you don’t have to. It’s why I encourage a lot of movement and moments of engagement. It’s why I’m quick to pivot if something isn’t working or a kid just isn’t having fun.
Your photo session should feel joyful and relaxing. Creating moments where you can feel sweet on your loved ones is the goal. Because when you look back on your photos, you want to remember the good stuff- and that is all wrapped up in the way you feel now.
