How Often Should I Get Family Photos Taken?

It May Be More Than You Think.

I know I am a family photographer, so you might think my opinion is a little (or a lot) biased. And that's true. BUT I've tried to remain conservative with this timeline as it is based on how fast children are growing at certain stages, how often their looks and personality is developing and how often we should be capturing these moments and milestones.

BTW- I had a blog post about this topic already but I'll be the first to admit that I had AI write it. I wanted to start from scratch and NOT use AI - so this article is 100% me and same for all my other more recent posts. I am craving more authenticity in our world and I suspect that others are as well.

So here we go:

1. Family Photos Begin Before Your Children Are Even Born

Maternity photos - not everyone wants to start their family photo journey at this stage because they may feel like a whale (at least I did) and not so glamorous BUT it's my job is to make you look glamorous even if you don't feel it. Either way, it's an important stage to document. Growing a baby is a monumental task, one that takes the energy and appetite right out of you. Let's celebrate it! =) But in all seriousness, it is a magical time, nonetheless, and an experience that is so fleeting and temporary which automatically means we should get photos of it.

2. Newborn - Ages 0-1

Newborn photos are an absolute must in my book because they will never be that small again. Photos of my newborn baby's fingers wrapped around mine is priceless to me. Her little baby toes...Newborns are growing so much DAILY and while I don't recommend professional photos daily, I do recommend at least one photoshoot in the first 2 weeks of life, then another at 1 year to celebrate the first year of life. For a less conservative approach I would recommend one at 6 months as well.

I personally do not do cake smash photos but I can recommend you to photographers who do. I focus on storytelling photos with you in them because one full year of taking care of a newborn baby deserves to be celebrated, too.

Plus, your grown kids will want to look back to see what their world looked like when they were that young - and you were their whole world.

So we'll take photos of you snuggling your baby, detail shots of their fingers and toes to see how much they've grown, their smile and learning to walk. Such an amazing time to document.

3. Early Childhood - Ages 1-5

We all know that this stage of childhood is ever-changing. Every.Single.Day your child is saying a new word, randomly adopting a new attitude, or learning a new skill like climbing or holding a spoon. Not to mention, their faces change so fast at this stage - their chubby cheeks lose their baby fat daily and their hair grows longer.

This is why at this stage, I recommend getting family photos done every year.

4. Ages 5 - 15

At this stage, I recommend scaling back to every couple of years. Your children are getting older but not changing as rapidly. If you want more, then fantastic! But conservatively, every other year is what I'd recommend.

5. Sweet 16

This is the peak of teen years, am I right? Learning to drive, gaining more independence... This just might be the last family photo session you'll ever get with your children before they are grown and leave the house.

6. Age 17/18: Their Senior Year

This isn't a family photo session but a photo session solely focused on your soon-to-be adult child. These are taken for their yearbook photo and to pass around to friends and to use for their graduation invitations or announcement. They are incredibly important! This is not an area of photography I focus on as it's its own niche and deserves to be celebrated in that way. I have wonderful photographer friends that are very skilled in this area if you need a recommendation!

7. Grown Children/Grandkids

These are growing in popularity because people are realizing that even though their kids are grown with their own families, it's still important and meaningful to capture how you've all aged and how family dynamics have shifted. You may be grandparents now and that is certainly worth celebrating. These are called extended family photo sessions and are worth every penny! I don't focus on these as a professional, however, but again, I know others who do that I can recommend!

So All in All How Many Photo Sessions?

• Maternity - as many third trimester pregnancies you have

• Newborn 0–1 – once right after they're born and another at 1 yr, so 2 total

• Ages 1-5 - once per year

• Ages 5–15 – once every other year

• Sweet 16 - just once per child - last photoshoot as a family with non-adult children

• Senior photos - just once per child

• Extended family photos - every 5 - 10 years

Final Thoughts

As a sentimental mama myself, these moments captured will be some of the most meaningful items in your home forever. I'd be honored to be your photographer and help tell your family's story.

When booking, it is based on location because the Portland area offers so many different backdrops all within a couple hours' drive. But every location is suitable for these milestones. I highly recommend an in-home shoot for your newborn session, though, because you won't want to leave the house during that time anyway.

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