The Family Portrait You Keep Putting Off
Most families kind of dread the “family portrait.” So they end up putting it off with lots of excuses, my kids won’t cooperate, I want to lose weight, etc.
One of my clients had an adult daughter (with a family of her own) and her Mom was getting old and not crazy about the idea of a formal portrait. But Mom was growing older and she was starting to feel uncertain that she’d every be able to get it done. So we talked it over, she booked the session and it was so special to capture the bond between three generations of women.
Here is what she shared with me after the session:
“Today, that portrait means more to me than I could have imagined. It is not just a photograph. It is a visual reminder of our family's story, our shared memories and the bond between a grandmother, mother and daughter. It has become one of my most treasured possessions.”
Why a three-generation portrait matters
A family portrait is not about a perfect pose. It is about the relationships.
My job in the studio is to capture that connection. Most people feel uncomfortable in front of a camera, and that is normal. I direct every step, I keep the room relaxed and I watch for the real moments between people rather than asking everyone to freeze and smile. In her words, the experience was effortless and meaningful, and that is exactly what I want for every family who sits for me.
The advice she wanted to pass on
When I asked if she had anything to share with other families, this is what she said.
To anyone who has been thinking about a family portrait but keeps putting it off, my advice is simple. Do not wait. There will always be reasons to postpone it, but time moves faster than we think. The memories you preserve today will only become more valuable tomorrow.
I could not say it better. The families who book the portrait rarely wish they had waited. The ones who wait sometimes lose the chance.
If three generations of your family are in one place this year, that is the moment. I would be honored to help you hold onto it.
