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Why is it important to have family photos with older kids?
As kids get older, it’s easy to forget to have family photos taken every year, or even to take out your phone or camera as often. When they’re little, it seems like they change every day and photos are so necessary to document every stage of their young lives. As they get older, kids’ growth and interests change more slowly and they are less inclined to want to take family photos.
Not surprisingly then, I don’t get to photograph too many older kids. So it was a real treat to hang out with Sylvie (12) and Toby (6) for the day. This family is so much fun. Their day was filled with cooking, dancing, and lots of outdoor time. I really connected to their love of listening to music while they hang out at home, especially records from dad’s collection. Music was always a part of my own household and fostered the eclectic music tastes I have today.
When I asked Erica why she wanted a documentary session she said,
“I’d like to have photos of our family that really capture who we are
– our dynamic, our humor, our love.”
They certainly made that job easy!
She also mentioned that they had never had family photos together and that there were fewer and fewer snapshots taken as the kids grew.
This is why documentary family photos are so perfect for older kids!
Instead of working around your packed schedule, have me tag along to all the soccer/dance/play practices. Have me document the 5 minute dinner before rushing out the door, or the diorama building on the kitchen table. These are the nights that make up the life of a middle schooler and what they will remember. Photos of the “chaos” will be a fond memory years later when they are looking through the albums of their childhood.
Plus, your kids can be photographed in their own space, keeping to their routine. They don’t have to dress fancy or stand close to mom and dad and smile (the horror!). Most importantly, kids can simply be themselves. There are lots of genuine smiles, unprompted hugs, and excitement to show off the things that are meaningful to them.
Don’t let your older kids get forgotten in the photo albums! Book a session today to capture this important stage. They grow up too fast.
