The Number One Reason to Take Family Photos While Your Kids Are Young
There are so many reasons to take family photos with your loved ones. They are perfect for home decor and a great way to document your family throughout the years. Something that isn’t often talked about is how beneficial family photos are to children’s confidence. Family photo sessions with children can be difficult, but the boost to their self-confidence is proven. Below are just a few of the reasons why.
Dressing up is fun for kids.
Children will generally choose a new outfit to wear to the session, have their hair styled, or generally look "nice". This allows them to feel special and valued. They see that they are worth the time and attention to get them looking their best for these photos. Also, when kids get to choose all or some of their photo outfits, they will feel a sense of pride knowing that they are important enough to contribute to the family photos.
It is good for kids to see themselves as a part of the family.
Being able to physically see themselves as a member of a happy family is so good for children’s sense of belonging. Dr. Krauss, a licensed psychologist from Cleveland, Ohio, pioneered the use of family photography and family albums to help his patients boost their self-esteem. "I think it is really important to show a family as a family unit. It is so helpful for children to see themselves as a valued and important part of that family unit," says Krauss.
Scientists emphasize the importance of printing and displaying our favorite family photos as well. "For children, in particular, looking at photographs is part of the socializing process—learning who you are and where you fit into the family. By displaying photographs of our children at different stages of their lives, we are making a very public statement that we are proud of them," says Professor Geoff Beattie. When a kid sees their photo on display in the family home, they know that they are loved and a source of pride for their parents. This is such a simple way to show your kids that they are important to you!
Praise is good for a child’s sense of self.
During the family photo session, children should receive praise from both their parents and the photographer when they are smiling and following directions. Encouragement from an outside source, such as the photographer, might be felt even more than praise from a parent. This is especially true for older kids! Hearing things like "Your eyes are so pretty!" or "Look at that handsome smile!" will help kids see themselves in a positive light. They might even look at themselves in the photos differently when they think about all of the kind words the photographer and their parents had to say.
As you can see, there are more benefits to taking family photos than just having cute photos. I encourage my clients to have family photos done at least once a year and to make it a fun family tradition that will bring joy and memories for years to come.
