We all have skeletons in our closet, and by skeletons I mean horrifying childhood photos that we don’t want to see the light of day. Just thinking about it, you’re probably sick with mortification. That is not how you should feel looking back on memories through photographs. Now that you have your own family, you have a responsibility to give your children a better experience. You may not have full control when it comes to school and extracurricular activity portraits, but you can ensure that family photos are done right.
1. It is easy to get caught up with life and become too busy for family, but remember that your kids are following your lead. If you don’t put in effort, why should they? Photo sessions are an opportunity to be fun and carefree without electronic devices and other distractions. Setting aside time to bond while your children are young will make a lasting impact. They will be able to look back and remember how important the value of a family unit was in their household.
2. Children tend to be shy around strangers so involve them in the hiring process. Because they are the youngest of the group and the most sensitive, rely heavily on their response. If they’re uncomfortable in a meeting, being in front of a camera will be no different. The level of compatibility will make or break the experience so fix that issue early on and hire someone that puts the littlest of your family members at ease.
3. Many kids struggle with a negative image of their outer appearance. Whether you like or dislike the idea of selfies, we can all agree that more often than not they are a cry for acceptance. Unfortunately, internet attention is temporary and doesn’t solve the issue within. That is where home life comes into play. From the time they are born, kids need to know where they fit as a puzzle piece within the puzzle. Allow your children to be heard during the planning stages of the photo session. Their individuality will make the photographs genuine, and give them an authentic and more positive reflection to look at.
4. The older kids get, the less eager they are when it comes to family activities. Don’t take that as an excuse to put photos on the backburner; you just need to adapt your approach. Teenagers are more concerned with becoming independent so give them a bigger part to play in the creative process. This could mean choosing the locations, props, poses, wardrobe, etc. It could also mean allowing them to explore their own interest in photography. Whether their subject is the family or something else, make sure their prints are displayed in a place of importance. No matter how old they are, they should know that they have their family’s support.
5. The nostalgia of images that pop up on on your smartphone and social media is temporary. Commit to printing and displaying photographs because they will make your house feel like a home to your family and everyone else who steps inside the door. If your kids participate in extracurricular activities, display those photos in their rooms so they can always see what they’ve accomplished and know that you are proud of them. Additionally, keeping albums around the house provides pages of memories and hours of nostalgic entertainment.
Think of a time as a child when you were in a group photo. As soon as you had the opportunity to do so, you searched and searched until you found your face. It felt good to see yourself and know you were a part of something. That sense of belonging is what you need to encourage in the lives of your kids. If they grow up in a photo-friendly environment, they are more likely to pass it on to their children and keep the tradition alive. Photographs aren’t a magic fix for a lack of confidence, but they do have the power to change perspective.
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