5 Reasons to get Family Photos Every Year

Lately I’ve been going through lots of family photo albums. I have been spending a lot more time at my Grandma’s house going through old shoeboxes full of pictures and albums that are literally falling apart at the seams. But without fail, whenever I go through these images or show them again to someone else, the world seems to light up one notch. Pictures evoke memories! Even if you can’t personally recall the moment, there’s something about a picture that tells a story of a past time that makes you smile no matter what.

For those of you who don’t know—I own a photography and videography business called LVP Studios. We focus on telling stories that are an authentic representation of a couple’s wedding day, families through the years, and people’s major life events by capturing the raw emotions, the connections between friends and family, and the emotions of any special day. This blog post was originally featured on the LVP Studios Blog.

Among all of the old pictures that I have found lately, one of the albums that I simply love the most is one that is just full of a seemingly random assortment of photos. It starts with a couple of pictures of the Winamac Community High School Marching Band winning state—pictures that my dad took when he was part of the band and out there celebrating with them. You can tell they’re excited and happy—this moment was so special as they hold up a trophy taller than most children.

Then the album transitions to pictures of snow, fish on a newspaper, a cat on a bed with a shotgun… you know, normal stuff. But honestly, it’s just normal stuff. Normal things that everyone could take pictures of, but for some reason it truly makes me so happy. It makes me smile from ear to ear thinking about these photos that my parents took of things that in that very moment feel inspiring to them, felt important in some way, or just looked super cool.

Looking through all of these old photographs I get to see photos of my grandparents, their siblings, my parents and aunts and uncles. I see photos of me and my siblings and remember when we were young and wild. I get the chance to remember the past... I get to remember how little we used to be and reminisce on moments that I would have simply forgotten if it wasn’t for these family photos. I get to remember playing with cousins and spending days hanging out at Grandma and Grandpa's house barefoot and covered in dirt.

These photos and albums that I’ve found as of lately have taught me just how important it is to take family photos every year. It’s something I was aware of, and it’s something that I constantly preach to my clients. But looking at old photos actually evoked that feeling that I’m trying to express to everyone else and it just made it all click.

1. YOU’RE CREATING MEMORIES.

You don’t remember dates or times you remember moments. You remember fun things you do on certain days or important times when something life changing happens. You may not remember what happened last Thursday, but you remember moments like when your kid learned to ride a bike for the first time or when your spouse asked you to marry them.

Capturing family photos every year may not necessarily mean capturing these precise moments as they occur, but having the family photos can evoke thoughts and memories. For example, last year during the fall season we (LVP Studios) did a session with this mama and her two little girls. One of the girls had previously hurt her wrist pretty badly before the session, but you could never tell from the pictures. She’s not wearing a brace, her wrist isn’t bothering her at all during the pictures, but you know who remembers that moment? They all do, because these photos documented a moment in time even if they weren’t necessarily documenting that specific thing.

Photos create memories that we can recall when we look at the photos even if that’s not what those photos are about. I bet you can do it too! Take a look at an old family photo that you may already have—what memories does it evoke? What do you recall about that day, week, month, year that you may not have remembered?

2. YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN THE LAST CHANCE FOR A FAMILY PHOTO MAY BE.

A sweet photographer friend of mine posted about a session that she did with a family whose husband passed away shortly after. Her story of their love, their family, and his passing brought tears to my eyes as I scrolled through the image gallery online and thought about all of the important people in my life who had gone too soon as well.

Sometimes you never know what’s going to happen in life. You never know when your family dynamic may change. So, it’s important to document the moments while you can. Get pictures taken every single year! Lift up the joys you have in every moment you can. And never take for granted the family that you have because you never know when the last chance for a family photo may be.

3. YOU’LL DOCUMENT GROWTH AND CHANGE.

Photographers have a superpower—we (LVP Studios) can freeze time! Families grow and change so fast. Yearly photos capture changes in our lives. They capture who you are at this point in time. Too often we can forget about our past. We can forget how cute our children were when they were little and before you know it they are off to college or getting married and having children of their own. It is important to document their growth and how our families have changed.

I have three sisters, and every year we’re all doing something new. Whether one’s graduating high school, or another is going off to complete her doctorate program, or another is moving half way across the country, we all seem to be changing constantly. Little things that turn into bigger things, and when you blink your eyes it seems like it all went by so fast. I remember running up our driveway together so we didn’t miss the school bus to middle school… but now all of a sudden, I’m married, my sisters are grown living on their own, and my parents are empty nesters. When did this happen?

But photos can freeze these moments of growth and document each step of change. This is why it’s important to get family photos every year.

4. SHOW HOW FAR YOU’VE COME.

Not only are we growing and changing outwardly, but inwardly as well. We are learning new things every day, pushing ourselves to be better spouses, parents, partners, humans! Family photos allow you to capture those changes as well. With photos you can document your moment in time and see the change within us even if it’s not shown on the outside.

Trevor once told me that if he could lay out all of the pictures he has from grade school to high school to now he would be able to see his growth and maturity through those images. He would be able to see how far he’s come with his attitude and his thoughts about life and the world. Photos that he has with his family in which he can tell each year just by the photos how much he’s learned and and how much he’s grown on the inside as well as the outside.

5. SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCES WITH OTHERS.

In today’s digital age, pictures aren’t just for you and for hanging on your wall anymore (even though those are super important reasons to get pictures as well). Photos are also for post on social media, for emailing to family members and for sharing with others online. We often take pictures now simply so we have new profile pictures or something to post on Instagram. We love taking pictures just so that we can share them with others online and give updates about ourselves and our lives.

Getting family photos every year allows you to document your life for yourself, but also document your life for others who can’t be around. Most families have other family members in different towns, states, or even countries. We can’t always see each other, but thankfully, technology makes that easier. Photos are a great way to share your experiences with others who cannot be around to take part of them with you.

For example, one of my favorite parts of my day is checking into Facebook to check on what my sister-in-law and my nephews did for the day. She posts a photo collage almost every single day showcasing their important family moments. And being that she is in Kansas and I am here in Indiana, it is a great way for me to feel like I am sharing in those experiences with them. I love my nephews and wish I could spend more time with them, so seeing these images shared online allows me to take part in their day in a little way.

So all of this started because I found some old family photos. Photos that made me realize that we really should be doing this more. That all of our families need to get out there and schedule sessions every single year. It’s something that I plan to do with my family for years to come, and it’s something that I would encourage yours to do as well.