“Family is not an important thing, it's everything.” -Michael J. Fox

Family means everything to me, and watching our children grow up so quickly makes me wonder where the time goes. Does this resonate with you?

In the blink of an eye, they transition from being newborns to graduating! Having a family portrait taken each year is a wonderful way to document their growth. Children develop into unique individuals, become adults, carve their own paths, and eventually move away.

Seize the time you have together by creating beautiful family portraits. What an incredible way to remember those timeless moments!

Family dynamics can change unexpectedly, and none of us want to think about losing our loved ones. Speaking from personal experience, in December 2009, I insisted on taking an updated extended family photo since my siblings and I all had families of our own. Little did I know that it would be the last time I photographed my Dad in the studio. My Dad passed away suddenly in May 2010.

There's no reason to pass up any opportunity to capture life together.

When we lose a loved one, it's natural to turn to our family photographs to remember and celebrate their lives. These photos bring smiles to our faces, evoke memories, and bring both laughter and tears. They help us cope with the loss. Family portraits possess the power to transport you back to a specific moment in time, reminding you of how you looked and even how you felt. These connections can be so profound that some people can almost smell the memories too! They serve as a wonderful way to reminisce and become a part of our legacy.

When is the right time for family photos?

The answer is now! Life gets busy, and it's not always easy to find the "perfect time" for a portrait session. When you're gone, no one will care about extra pounds or wrinkles—those are facts! What will matter is that you're together, you're happy in the photo with them, and it's evident that you loved them. These photos become your legacy and are worth more than you can imagine.

Why am I sharing such a personal message? It's because I've sadly lost both of my parents. I cherish the photos we have. My son was just a baby when my Dad passed away, so these photos help me tell the stories.

I encourage you to pause, be present, and celebrate the relationships you may sometimes take for granted.