THIS is my family.
And this happens to be the last family picture we've ever had taken.
If the fashion, haircuts, and style of this photo didn't tip you off, then maybe you noticed I'm not even BORN yet. Yes, this was at LEAST 26 years ago.
They were kind enough to include the family dog though, so growing up I got a lot of, "Oh look how cute Anndee is!" jokes, which I so did not find funny.
Family, I love you. But everyone else... don't let this be your family!
There is always, always, always going to be an excuse to put off having family pictures taken. But it is so, so important to have done! I'm not just saying that as a photographer. We have no guarantees in life. I have done pictures for a family who had recently lost a sibling, and realized they waited way too long to get updated pictures.
What is your excuse? Most times, what I hear is that someone in the family just wants to lose 10 more pounds, or they are self conscious about their big ears, or their crooked teeth, or their acne.
I am here to tell you you are the only one who sees it. And I know today those extra 10 lbs feel pretty detrimental. But your kids and grandkids are growing and changing every second. We lose people, or they move away. Situations change daily.
So get your family pictures done. Even if you never post them on social media, or even hang them on your wall. Get them done for posterity's sake. Get them done so you can look back on today and remember things as they were.
Love yourself enough to accept your weight, your looks, your outfit just as you are today, not how you hope to be someday.
Treasure every moment with your sweet family, and let me help you freeze some of those moments forever.
Here are my recommendations for how often pictures should be done:
Extended/multi-families: every 2-3 years
Single families: Once a year
Kids: Once a year
Kids under 5: every 6 months-1 year (keep in mind you can
do mini sessions for these.)
It's not so hard, and quite honestly, it's some of the best advice I can give you. Just get those pictures done!! Don't wait until you all have matching outfits, or until your hair grows out. I promise you won't regret it.
