When should family portraits be taken?
We all know that time whizzes past, and our babies are grown before we can turn around twice. We want to have photographic art to remember them at their most precious, smartest, and funniest times. But how many family portraits is enough? How many is overkill? Perhaps more important, how many for each child?
Typically, the firstborn gets photographed a lot, because we don’t want to miss a moment of their life. We just can’t get enough of the wonder of having a child for the first time, and that’s a good thing. But there should be a balance of taking pictures of children that come along later.
Life happens, we know that. So, to help out here’s a timeline of how often to schedule family portraits.
New Baby Photography
Babies seem to change every week, so these recommendations are a minimum. Plan to book your baby’s portraits every six months for the first year.
- Newborn*
- 6-9 months*
- 1 year* (Cake Smash sessions are big, and the photos are always adorable! Read my Cake Smash Preparation Guide. Know how to prepare for your yearling’s Cake Smash, and what to expect.)* Ask about our NEW Grow With Me Package! It covers all 3 sessions for Baby’s first year.
Photographing Children
From ages 1 to 10, yearly update portraits will highlight your kids’ growth and showcase their emerging personalities. The first day of school (or the last) will work well as a marker. Most of my families come back every year, and it’s such an amazing honor and pleasure to watch their children grow!
Teen Portraits
From ages 10-18, I still recommend that your young person’s life history be documented annually. They may feel that family portraits are only for the littles, but older kids are just as important. Don’t expect them to dress in Christmas jammies!
Book a casual portrait session for your tween or teen to give as a surprise gift to their most favorite relative – maybe a grandparent or a favorite aunt. If you’ve gotten your kids into the habit of birthday pictures, it’s a perfect tradition to continue, even as they get ‘too old’ for photos. Academic honors or sports achievements should be documented as well.
Graduating High School Seniors
High school graduation is a big deal! Schedule your graduating senior’s portrait session during the spring of junior year or the beginning of senior year. Don’t miss this opportunity for a lifetime keepsake. Order reprints for grandmas, aunts, former neighbors, and special friends. Don’t forget to reserve a copy for the graduate to show years later to their own grandkids. They’ll get a giggle out of it!
Photographing Adults
Even though everyone is grown, it’s still good to have portraits made every 5 years to document life changes, family additions and accomplishments. Never mind that there might be an extra 20 pounds or less hair to deal with. We can do magic with camera angles and lighting, so don’t let that stop you!
Other Milestones
Remember important events in your family’s life and celebrate with portrait sessions. You’ll want photographs to make you smile, to make you proud, to remember a special time. Weddings, of course. And baptisms, first communions, retirements, new homes, mitzvahs, Sweet 16s, new cars, the first horseback riding lesson, a new dirt bike, rescuing a new puppy, a loving portrait with an old dog, adopting a child. The list is virtually endless!
Book Your Sessions
Be sure to book now to commemorate your special day, honor or event. It only comes around once, and you owe it to yourself to remember it with a keepsake, heirloom quality portrait.
Fallon Photographic Art LLC is located in Pawtucket, RI serving all of Rhode Island and select areas in Southern Massachusetts.
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