How Often Should My Family Get Professional Portraits Done?
Family Portraits Over The Years
We know what you’re thinking – “Ok, Mrs. Photographer, you’re going to tell me to get professional photos EVERY year, right? I mean, photographers always say that because it benefits THEM.”
Actually, we’re going to surprise you by saying every year is NOT our recommendation UNLESS you have a small child. By “we”, I mean my husband, Michael and I. Michael and I both have long runs in the portrait industry – Michael at 29 years and I’m at 18. We’ve both had the opportunities to watch families grow before our eyes.
When staring to write this blog, I had to compare notes and pick Michael’s brain from his extra years of experience. I’m extremely lucky to have 10 years of extra wisdom at my fingertips. With 29 years in the industry, Michael has now photographed some of his longest standing clients for 22 or 23 years. One such client hired Michael to photograph her daughter’s wedding 23 years ago. That daughter has her own family, and her youngest child is now a senior in high school. With those upcoming photographs, Michael will have been photographing his original client’s family and their next generation for the last 22 years. Did they come back every year? Not necessarily. It wasn’t about the time that had passed; it has been about the milestones and the people being added to their family.
I asked Michael about what his recommendation for a family starting out would be. Knowing everything he knows now, what would he do for his own family if he had to do it all over again? Here’s his “best case scenario” response.
Let’s say The Doe Family has their first child. The Doe Family should come in when their child is a newborn, 6 months old, 12 months old, 2 years old, 3 years old, 4 years old, 5 years old, 6 years old, between 5th and 6th grade, between 8th and 9th grade, and finally, at 12th grade. The first years are very important for a child as they change and grow very quickly, so it’s worthwhile capturing them for the first 6 years in a row. Then, you can skip a few years until they change from grade school to middle school, from middle school to high school, and after high school.
If that’s too complicated and you haven’t kept up with that schedule, our best recommendation is every 3 to 5 years. That will loosely capture the milestones of every member of the family.
Once your first child goes to college, they might show up with a special someone at Thanksgiving, and that someone may now be considered part of the family! That is wonderful news, and your family dynamic could be changed in an instant! Make sure to capture your core family before your eldest child moves away.
Here's some recommendation for your child’s wall portraits:
One at 1 year old, one at 3 or 4 years old, one at 8-12 years old, one at 15-16 years old, and one as a senior. The 1-year portrait is a staple milestone that shouldn’t have to be explained. Every child deserves a 1-year portrait! At 3 or 4 years old, your child has a sweet innocence about them, paired with a baby face, and cute baby clothes. You’ll want to capture them before they grow out of them. We both personally love this stage the most, and it’s the one we recommend getting a painting of. We love the scene of the flowers and portrait garden in the morning, or next to a beautiful window with long drapes in your home for this one. At 8, 12, 15, and 17, you’re capturing two pre-teen portraits, one teen portrait, and one senior milestone portrait. That’s only 6 portraits in 18 years. Time will fly!
I hope this helps! If it’s time to schedule your family’s portrait, the summer is a great time to do so! Time is moving fast, so please hurry to get booked in!
Michael Martinez Fine Portraits: Call (713) 355-5345, or email kacey@martinezphoto.com
Julizza Gomez Portraits: Call (832) 559-0701 or email Amie at appointments@gomezportraits.com.
We would love to help you capture these milestones of your family and loved ones!
