Why is family photography so important – Family Photographer Macarthur
Why is family photography so important? As a family photographer in Macarthur, and also as a parent, I can tell you exactly why!
In my mind, professional family photography is a must, at least every five years at a minimum. One day faded memories and photographs will be all we have left and I intend on spending my twilight years going through old photographs, old photo albums and telling my grand children stories from when their parents were just small children.
You may think that I need to say that professional family photography is a must, as it is what I spend my days doing. Family photography around Macarthur is what I do and what I have done for quite some time now. I will always be an advocate for quality, professional family photography, but honestly, this is truly what I know and believe without a shadow of a doubt.
I remember another photographer commented in a forum recently that wedding photography is essential where family photography is just more of a luxury item. People take it or leave it. Wedding photography is the priority and what people should be focusing on. I had to bite my tongue, he has a right to his opinion but I have to admit I was shocked to hear that someone would think that. Maybe he doesn’t have a family of his own? Maybe he is estranged from his family? Maybe his family are not into memories and holding onto their time with each other? Who knows… It makes me sad but then I know family photography isn’t for everyone.
His comment stemmed from his belief that you only get married once and you may spend $30,000 on your wedding and you need the photography to remember everything and everyone from the day. But the part that shocked me was him saying family photography is more of a luxury purchase and essentially, isn’t essential.
While getting married is a major event in your life, becoming a parent is also. So is becoming a parent for the second or third time. Our children are often our only legacy, they are our testament in the world along with our work, other things we stand for a have built over the years. Marriage is a super special time in our lives but not the one and only. Below are 7 reasons why we need quality, professional family photography in our lives.
7 REASONS WHY FAMILY PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY IS SO IMPORTANT
1. Celebrate milestones in your life and your children’s life.
When you’re 80 and you look back on your life the things that will stand out are your partner, your children, your career, maybe your house and overseas trips… Today if someone said to you “So, tell me about yourself” you might say, “Well, I am married, I have two beautiful children, I own my own business, I live on a beautiful property just outside Camden…” these things sum up our lives and are the milestones that shine like the stars in the jungle of days. Your children also will not remember much before their 4th birthday. They will only remember a few events from the ages of 5-8 even. They will have absolutely no idea if they were born with lots of hair or what they looked like on their first or second birthdays unless it is documented.
2. Reliving memories.
Now who doesn’t love going back in time and reminiscing? Who doesn’t love when Time Hop or Facebook Memories gives us a photo we posted 10 years ago? We can’t do this if we don’t take photos in the first place. I often have children in my studio and they will sit there while I am photoraphing their new sibling. They will be on their parents phone, but what are they doing? They are scrolling through the camera feed, kids love doing this! Even just one short year for a child can bring so many memories, so much fun, so much love. I birthday, a trip to the zoo, Mums big belly and then their new baby sister… kids soak this up just as much as we do.
3. Sometimes things go wrong.
Sadly our lives can change in a heartbeat. Accidents happen, people get sick, life can change unexpectedly… We don’t like to think about it and most of will be perfectly ok throughout life but tragedy can strike unfortunately and we need to be sure our children will have photographs us of to hold onto if life doesn’t go according to plan.
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4. So your grand children have visual images to show their own children those who came before them.
How cool will it be when your grandchildren ask you who your Mother was? Or your Grand Mother? I love seeing photos of my descendents even though I haven’t even met a few of them. I met my Great Grandmother 3 days before she died and we do have a photo documenting this event. I was only 7 days old but this frail, elderly woman is holding me in her arms with a huge smile on her face. Such a special moment and it is one of the last photos we have of her. Invest in your future, invest in your families future… even the generations that are just a twinkle in your little biys eye.
5. Because ‘now’ is so awesome and you just want to hold onto it and keep it for as long as possible.
Do you ever just sit back and think, wow, life is just so perfect now, this has to be one of the nest stages of my life, we have our family here, we’re all happy, healthy and strong. Everything is perfect – if life could stay like this forever it would be amazing! When you find yourself saying this, no matter where you are up to in your life, call me!!! These golden days, beautiful stages can happen several times in your lives. You will catch yourself saying you just want more of what you have today… Lets hold onto this stage and this feeling. Lets document the way you feel right now and how blessed and perfect everything is. A professional will be sure to document more than a likeness, they will record more than just what is visable on a face value, they will catch the emotions and your bond, so you are able to not just see how great this time was, but you will be able to feel it also… you seriously cannot put a price on that. What an absolute treasure to own.
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6. For children, seeing themselves as a valuable part of a strong, loving family unit makes them feel safe, secure and can boost their self esteem by 24%
Its true, scientifically proven. Childrens self esteem is boosted by up to 24% when they get to see a beautiful display of their close families love and affection, proudly displayed on the walls of your home. They feel valued and important and part of something bigger even though they may very well be the youngest member of the family. They see themselves as part of a bigger group and the sheer fact that those photos are displayed on the walls tells them that their parents are proud of them, proud of their family unit and like to show you all off to everyone who walks through the front door.
7. Mum and Dad can be involved.
This is the big one. I hear people say selfies are ok, or everyday happy snaps will do. The problem is most of the time it is one of the parents holding the camera. One of the parents will be holding and operating the phone or camera and focusing on that as opposed to focusing on the most important people in the frame. The photo will also most likely only be at arms length, The person or people close to the edges of the frame will have disorted heads possibly, due to the wide angle of the lens. Everyone will be looking at themselves concentrating on their smile and how they look… It can suffice, but to be honest it is not ideal. If you are going to do something, you really should do it right. A family photo with only 3 out of the 4 members in the shot is not a family photo. Hire a professional, have all members of the family in the frame, and have all members energy and connections flowing and interacting with each other as they should be. If you hire a professional, you will feel this energy over and over again every single time you look at that photo. A professional portrait will take you right back to that moment and have you feeling everything you felt when the photo was taken.
Karen is a family photographer servicing all areas in Gregory Hills, Macarthur and surrounds of Camden. If you are looking for a Family Photographer around Macarthur, please give me a call.
Book a session for your family here
If you would like to find a family photographer in your own area search the AIPP website to find an accredited professional.
Karen Ashcroft Family Photographer Macarthur
