In today’s world, life moves fast. With our endless to-do lists, busy schedules, and electronic distractions, it is easy to overlook scheduling family portraits. So often, people assume getting everyone together is a burden, or a chore, that it is one task too many. Focusing on the negative aspects of booking a family portrait session is easy. But parents rarely consider the confidence boost that family portraits can offer. Family portraits can help foster communication and increase children’s self-worth. Over the years, psychologists have researched that family portraits can boost happiness and self-esteem in children.

The Murfreesboro Study:

In 1975, Tulane University conducted a well-known study with a group of fourth graders in a Murfreesboro, Tennessee school. The children were selected to participate based on low scores on a self-esteem test. They were given Polaroid cameras with an assignment to take pictures of themselves in various poses that expressed both different and specific emotions they were experiencing. Over five weeks, the children used those sixty pictures of themselves to create scrapbooks. After the five weeks had passed, the students were tested once more. Not surprisingly, the student's test scores showed a significant increase in their behavioral self-esteem.

So what does this mean for family portraits? 

The Murfreesboro study underscores that just being surrounded by pictures of themselves can encourage children to have higher levels of self-esteem. The book, “Photo Therapy and Mental Health” co-authored by Dr. David Krauss and Jerry Fryrear, is considered a founding text for using photography in therapy. Dr. Krauss strongly advocates for having family photos displayed in a gallery. "What it says to a child is, 'I'm important in this family,'" shares Dr. Krauss.

Family Portraits Strengthen Bonds

Family photo sessions help to create a stronger bond within families. They allow children to see and feel their security and place within the family. Taking and displaying these pictures prominently throughout the home can show children how valuable they are to the family unit. Looking at their photographs allows a child (even a young child) to comprehend where they fit in and the importance they bring to the whole family.

"It's important not only to be photographed in ways that indicate caring, nurturing, love and success but also to see those images and take them in," Dr. Krauss had stated.

When portraits are hung up, words are not needed to express the affection within the family. The love is visible in the smiles on the walls and the stories that line the hallways. When decorating children’s bedrooms and nurseries, keep this in mind. Including family portraits in their rooms is a way to show children how much they matter.

Photography Cultivates a Conversation of Family

Family portraits help cultivate conversations about genealogy and how every family has a unique and compelling history. It solidifies the value of making and honoring memories. My home is full of images of my family – members who are here and deceased. These images spark conversations with my only two-years-old daughter about the love I have for my Grandmother, who has since passed. It gives me a chance to share with her the comedic nature of my Great Uncle - who also has passed. I have images of relatives we do not get to see very often. We discuss them to develop my daughter's relationships with these loved ones, even with little face time. 

Having these images of treasured family members helps us continue to honor their memories and keep these relationships in mind. PrintingPrinting your family portraits and using them around your home sends your children a message that family is essential. 

Family Photography Instills a Sense of Self

Even babies can recognize themselves in a mirror or photograph. Their faces light up in a moment of delight. Being able to look at and see pictures of themselves in the home can help instill a sense of self and to reinforce they are valued members of the family. 

In my home, I also created a magnet wall for my daughter with magnets of her, her family, and her friends. She gets to play with the magnets, speak about the people and the stories she creates with them, and learn about the people on the magnets through this fun activity. Even though it is meant as a game, it allows her to interact with those images and express herself as an individual. 

Print your Family Portraits Out

I understand we live in a digital age. People want beautiful images for social media. The number one question I get through inquiries is if digitals are included in the price of my session packages. Having a family portrait session is only the first step. It is just as essential to print those photographs out! I always stress the importance of physical prints to my clients over digitals. Here are some reasons to make sure your portraits are printed out instead of just left as digital images:

Seeing the love and closeness of a family unit on the walls deepens a sense of home and comfort.

Every child should know the security of home, which is reinforced every day they see those pictures.

There is something connective and powerful with physically touching a print. It sparks emotion and helps children to step away from technology momentarily.

Printing images can become a family activity to decorate with personalized art.

Family portraits can boost self-esteem, strengthen family bonds, create family conversations and reinforce a sense of self in children. I would be honored to help you seize these moments for your family. Time flies so quickly! As a family documentary photographer, making sure these precious moments are captured and preserved is essential to me. Please do not hesitate to reach out for more information.