How Often Should You Hire a Photographer for Family Portraits?

As a photographer for family portraits, one of the questions I get most often is,
“How often should we do this?”

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but here’s the truth: the seasons of your family’s life are worth documenting more than you may realize. Not just at the holidays, but in the beautiful in-between.

Let’s break it down by season, milestones, and intention.

Once a Year: A Beautiful Tradition

A yearly family session is a great rhythm for most families. It’s often enough to see real change, especially as your kids grow and your relationships deepen.

Each year, you’re not just getting an updated photo—you’re telling a new chapter of your story.

• Maybe one year it’s the toddler who won’t stop running.
• The next, it’s the big kid missing their two front teeth.
• Or the teenager who finally agrees to hug you in front of the camera.

Yearly photos give your future self something tangible to look back on—and your children a record of how loved they’ve always been.

Babies + Toddlers

In those early years, time feels like it’s on fast-forward. Babies change so quickly, especially in the first year. If you’re in this stage, I recommend capturing:

• Newborn (within the first 2 weeks)
• Mid-year (around 6–7 months, once they’re sitting)
• One year (walking or standing—often a great time for a full family session too)

These moments won’t repeat. And while the sleepless nights might blur, these images help you remember the wonder of that season.

Big Milestones: Go Beyond the Birthday

Think beyond the typical milestones. There are so many moments that mark transformation:

• Welcoming a new sibling
• Moving into a new home
• Celebrating an adoption
• First or last day of school
• Grandparents visiting from out of town

When you work with a photographer for family portraits, these events become more than memories—they become part of your visual legacy.

Don’t Wait for the “Perfect Time”

I hear it often: “We want to wait until we’ve lost weight / until the baby sleeps / until our house is cleaner.”

Here’s the thing: perfect is rarely what we remember. What we treasure are the imperfect, real, beautifully ordinary days.

You don’t need a holiday card deadline or matching outfits to deserve to be in the frame.

Make It Simple (and Meaningful)

If the idea of yearly photos feels overwhelming, let me help make it easier:

• I offer wardrobe guidance and location ideas
• Sessions are relaxed and connection-focused
• You don’t need to plan every detail—I’ll walk you through it all

As your photographer for family portraits, my goal isn’t just to take pictures. It’s to help you create a tradition that grows with your family—rooted in presence, play, and meaning.

Ready to Make This a Tradition?

Whether it’s been a year or five since your last family photos, it’s never too late to start again.

If you’re looking for a photographer for family portraits who will meet you where you are—with warmth, ease, and intention—I’d love to be part of your story.

Let’s make time stand still, just for a moment.