Why You Should Take Family Photos (Way) More Often Than You Think

From Baby Bumps to Cap and Gowns — A Snapshot of Why Every Stage Matters

You know that saying, “The days are long, but the years are short”? Yeah, that one. The one that hits you right in the feels when you realize your once-tiny newborn is now asking for the car keys.

As a family photographer (and fellow human who’s cried over baby photos at 2 a.m.), I’m here to say: take the photos. Take all the photos. And I don’t mean just the phone selfies (though those are fun too) and let's face it, how often does your husband take photos of you with the kids? Those candid moments and smiles or the quiet snuggly reading before bedtime?

What I mean are the honest-to-goodness, professional, beautifully lit, memory-capturing, frame-it-forever photos. The photos with YOU in them with your family. These photos are not just for you, though. They are for your eventually grown kids who will want to look back on these little time capsules.

But how often should you get professional photos taken? I know I AM a photographer, but even if I weren't, this timeline is based on how fast children are growing and changing and how often we should be capturiing these little moments.

Let me walk you through a little family photo journey — and why it’s more important than ever to capture the magic at every stage.

1. It All Starts with the Bump

Let’s be real — growing a tiny human is kind of a superhero feat. You deserve to celebrate it. Maternity photos are more than just documenting a belly; they’re capturing a moment of anticipation, connection, and glow-up vibes. It’s the first chapter of your family’s visual story.

Plus, years from now, your teen will laugh (or groan) when they see your maternity photos and say, “Wait... I was in there?!”

2. Ages 0–5: The Blink-and-They-Grew-Up Years

These are the years when they change faster than your coffee cools down. First steps, chubby cheeks, the way their hair curls just so — these details are fleeting. That’s why I always recommend annual professional photos from birth to age five.

You’ll never regret having too many pictures of your toddler giggling uncontrollably or your baby smashing a cake like it’s a competitive sport.

3. Ages 5–9: Missing Teeth & Maximum Personality

Once they hit kindergarten, kids start developing strong opinions. On everything. Including what they want to wear for photo day (spoiler: it might involve a cape or a tutu — or both).

These years are golden. Silly faces, scraped knees, the way they still want to hold your hand. Every other year is a perfect pace here — enough to catch the big changes, but not so often they start charging you a modeling fee.

4. Ages 10–12: The Preteen Portal

Just before they officially become teenagers, they’re caught in a beautiful in-between — still kids, but suddenly taller, wiser, and somehow looking more and more like the adult they’ll become.

This stage deserves a dedicated photo session. Trust me — it’ll be one of your most treasured milestones when you look back.

5. Sweet 16: Cue the Confetti

They’re driving. They’re discovering who they are. They might even let you hug them in public (on a good day). A Sweet 16 session is a celebration of individuality, independence, and still being your baby — just with a driver’s permit.

6. Senior Year: The Grand Finale (Cue the Tissues)

This is it. The last chapter of the “under your roof” years. Senior portraits aren’t just for the yearbook — they’re for you. For the grandparents. For the walls of your home. For the teary-eyed slideshow at graduation.

This session is a time capsule. A love letter. A badge of pride. A gentle nudge that says, “Hey, you did great, kid.”

In Summary (Because Lists Make Us Feel in Control)

📸 Maternity – because belly bumps are beautiful

📸 Ages 0–5 – every year (they grow faster than you think)

📸 Ages 5–9 – every other year (hello, gap-toothed grins)

📸 Age 10–12 – once during this age range - the “not a kid, not a teen” moment

📸 Sweet 16 – because they’ll thank you later (maybe)

📸 Senior photos – cap, gown, and proud tears included

Final Thoughts

You don’t take family photos just for now — you take them for future you. For the you who forgets what their laugh sounded like at four, or how small their hand was in yours at six.

And I’d be honored to help you capture them. 💛

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