Just last week I was talking to my mom on the phone. She had been cleaning out a closet at our family home in Mississippi and came upon a really old family photo of her with her parents, two sisters, and some extended family from the 1950s. My mom was laughing as she described her and her sisters' horrible bangs that their mother cut (Grandma Alice would cut them so short because she could never quite get them even!). I asked her to bring it with her when she came back to New Orleans so I could see all of what made her giggle so much. Plus, I haven't seen photos of my mom with her whole family. Ever.

"I don't want to be in photos right now" or "We have so much going on" or "We can't get everyone together"...We've heard it all here at Olivia Grey Pritchard Photography. We totally get it - life is hectic! But we can assure you right now that setting aside the time for family portraits is worth every minute for you and future generations. We do the hard work, you just have to show up! (We know, that's half the battle!) Here are five of the biggest reasons to take family photos with a professional each year.

1. See your family's growth.

Kids grow so. FAST. Sometimes, it feels like we just took a baby's newborn portraits here at our studio and just like that, we are taking their one year portraits! So, we can only imagine how that feels for parents. You only get those few precious years with your children at home with you. Each year, your family will change and before you know it your baby's chunky legs will grow into long, skinny bean poles! Cherish each stage and see how your children change over the years with beautiful portraits.

This adorable family has been coming to us throughout their baby girl's first year. She has always had so much hair and with each session, it just gets longer and longer! It has been so much fun for us to watch her grow as we add photos to her album.

2. You never know what's ahead.

Don't take your family's current season for granted! We've seen so many family changes in the blink of an eye here at our studio, and having photos is one of the best ways families can remember their past. It's hard to think about, but people pass on, family members move away - life happens. There's no time like the present! We just had some of our clients move to Europe, and so they took some beautiful family portraits in their New Orleans home to remember their life here for the past few years.

3. Capture those special moments in time.

When your toddler would only wear that one shirt, or when your baby would only go to her dad for those two months...those are the moments that family portraits can help you remember. They're gone in what seems like an instant sometimes, moving on to other stages and phases. Family photos let you relive those funny memories or sweet moments. When you choose your wall art, we love it when families go with a silly or sweet moment from their session! We know each time they look at it in their home they'll be taken back to that moment and smile. 

At one year old, this little cutie was obsessed with digging in her mama's purse, exploring the world through crawling, and her lovey!! 

Sometimes babies just need a snuggle with their lovey at a session, and we're totally okay with that!

4. Document the value of family for future generations.

Professionally printed archival photos last for generations. Digital files, only a few years. We want you to have beautiful printed pieces from your sessions with us to remember your family and keep for years to come. Just like that photo my mom found last week, it's nice for your children to be able to show their children their life growing up. Family is so important, and passing along that message through photographs is one way to keep your family's memories alive. Plus, having photos of your children around in your home shows them that they are special and loved!

This sweet girl laughed so much at her session! 

5. Family time!

Anytime you get together with your family is quality time with each other. Plus, we aim to have FUN at our sessions! We want to capture your family right as you are at that moment, and doing so means you just get to be yourself. We help you find the best way to stand or sit for some posed photos, but from there we just want you to have fun with your loved ones and we handle the rest! 

This cutie ended her session in the fountain and loved every second!

If you've been wanting to have family portraits taken, don't put it off any longer. You can't go back in time! Your kids will cherish these photos when they are older. Drop a line and chat with us today about your family. We promise you won't regret it. :)