Why family portraits are important to family values

Family portraits is one of those traditions in global culture that we all seem to want to do every year because it’s just the right thing to do and well, everyone else is doing it, so why not us. Or, it’s a way to document the kids growing up, and preserve memories and increase the bond of family values.

Family portraits create a deeper connection in your family; disengaging from electronics and gadgets that can sometimes plague our lives and to actually spend time with one another- you know the way we used to do before smartphones became a thing, and computers ran our lives and there were only 9 channels to choose from. That is what this article is about today- how family portraits can strengthen family values.

1. Negative impact of technology on family

With the growing age of technology, children, and adults alike, today seem to be moving further and further away from one another. Children often default to their phone, IPad, or other music devices, or the time- sucking video games. Parents can be consumed with social media and streaming platforms on their phone and/ or work that can be done from their phones. We are glued to our phones and it feels like our social skills are diminishing by the second with the increase of these technologies… which makes the need to connect as a family that much more important!

There are so many activities that will allow you to spend more time with your kids and with one another than just family portraits such as heading to a water park, spending a day at a theme park, having picnics, spending the day at the park, etc.- Anything that will disengage everyone from their devices is a good activity.

2. Spending more time with family

Family photography strengthens the connection between individuals, not only the relationship between the kids and the

 parents, but the relationship between each spouse. Family portraits have the power to unveil a deep family bond or disengage kids from the screen of their favorite video game and get them out and moving. This particular family activity “builds love, support, care, and respect between family members and encourages children to mirror positive character attributes as they grow up”   

3. Obama’s family portrait 

I went to my mother’s house and she had portraits of Obama’s family everywhere. They had their own wall and you would see them as soon as you walked in. I asked her, what’s up with all the Obama family portraits? She said, “I like Obama’s family.”

“Clearly, mom!”

In contrast, there was 1 image that sat on top of the mantle downstairs between her collection of stuffed animals. I was 14. My brother was 19. My sister was 5. I realized that she wished she had more family portraits of all of us

Obama had a self- portrait created when he was in his presidency. He spoke…. 

“….and the way that he would take extraordinary care and precision and vision in recognizing the beauty and the grace and the dignity of people in our lives and put them on a grand stage on a grand scale and force us to look and see them in ways that, so often, they were not.” Read the whole transcription here. It’s pretty awesome!

Obama talks about family portraits

Due to copyright reasons, I cannot post a picture of his family on my website, but here is a cool link.

4. Time travel and smartphones

I like to say that photography is the closest thing we have to a time machine. We can take a picture of a moment and travel back to that very moment anytime we wish! That’s why cell phone companies invest so much money into making better and better cameras, “…so you can get a pro-level photography experience with your smartphone.”

Your turn

Hopefully this gave a fresh perspective of family portraits. Taking a nice photo is only a small part of the equation. It’s really about exploring the relationships between family members and celebrating togetherness in that moment. Family portraits document the person(s) and preserve legacies. It’s about putting smiles on faces and giving one another a stronger sense of appreciation for the others. You may request more information here if you’d like to book a session with me.

I’d love to hear what you thought of this article- let me know in the comments below.

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Hello. I’m Damon and I specialize in wedding and family photography in Washington DC. I focus on creating authentic, artistic, and emotional images. I would love to be the one to help furnish your home with the most incredible memories you’ve ever had! Click here