Family Portraits When All your Kids are in Town
By: Diane Dultmeier
Capturing Unforgettable Moments: A rare family portrait opportunity!
When I’m out and about in the community, I am always sad when I run into a client who shares their heartfelt regret about a missed portrait opportunity. Likely it was one of those rare occasions when all their kids were home for a few days, and they realize later that we could have created something wonderful for their wall.
I totally get it – as the kids get older and live elsewhere, it can be rare to all be in one place at the same time. And in the whirlwind of getting ready for the visit, it's easy to overlook making a plan to capture a portrait. I understand because when my own boys are both home, I find myself caught up in preparing for the visit and my own excitement to see them.
But once they've gone back to their lives, there's this undeniable longing for a tangible way of remembering that togetherness. It's these moments, after they’ve gone, that make you realize how important displayed family portraits are. Professional family portraits aren’t like the countless photos in your phone that get lost as you add more and more–although those are special too. Printed family portraits are there for you everyday, on the wall or in a coffee table book, a tangible reminder of the togetherness, frozen in time, reminding you of the love and connection you share.
After all, who knows when everyone will be together again?
How to get everyone on board for a perfect portrait while the whole family’s together
Amidst the chaos, adding a portrait session to your to-do list can be overwhelming. You might face resistance from your family too. But let me assure you, no one has ever regretted having their family portraits taken. In fact, these images become more precious with time, transforming into heirlooms that tell your family's story.
Choose which of these tips is the best fit for your particular family of personalities:
Plan Ahead and Involve Everyone. Talk to your family beforehand. Share the idea of capturing these moments and involve them in the process. Make it a fun family activity, from choosing outfits together to selecting the perfect location. When everyone is on board, the session becomes a joyful experience, creating natural and genuine smiles.
OR
You and I make a plan together and you simply tell them when and where. Many adult kids (and husbands) appreciate this approach. It makes it easy for everyone to say yes. You can even invoke the “this is all I want for Christmas/my birthday/Mother’s Day” approach. Some moms even buy shirts for the guys, just so we know we have what we need for the session.
After the photography, plan to share a meal together to add to the family memories. (But know this: it is totally normal if your kids come for the photo session and then head out to be with all their other friends who might be home for a holiday weekend.)
Having finished portraits on the wall is one way to have the most recent version of your kids "with you," even when they don't live at home.
Remember, these portraits aren't just pictures; they're a moment in time, captured for posterity. They're the tangible expressions of love, laughter, and togetherness. We all know these images will only increase in value as time goes on.
So, if you're planning a family gathering soon, don't miss the chance to transform moments into timeless memories. Let's collaborate and create artwork that reflects the warmth and connection of your family. I have more tips and ideas to make it easier, which we can talk about during your Design Consultation, which is the first step toward beautiful family portraits.
My family portrait.
Contact me today to discuss your photography and schedule your session.
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For 20+ years as a family portrait specialist on Florida’s Treasure Coast, I have been known for relaxed portrait sessions at locations around Stuart, Palm City, Hutchinson Island, Hobe Sound, Fort Pierce, Vero Beach and all areas in between. I am not like most photographers these days because I believe your family deserves to be celebrated each day, as part of your home decor. When you work with me, we will collaborate in creating Fine Art Portraits of your family, which will live on your walls or in a custom-designed album or folio box and be remembered as one of the best investments you have ever made. In addition to creating portraits for families, I create headshots and personal branding images for business use. To learn more, go the the Dultmeier Photography homepage.