3 Reasons I’m So Glad I Learned How to Take Our Own Family Photos

I used to think family photos meant finding a photographer, picking a date, coordinating outfits, wondering if the kids would be tired or needing a nap, and hoping that the weather cooperated.

And while I still am so grateful for the professional photos we had before, learning how to take our own has given me something I didn’t realize I was missing: the freedom to capture our family exactly as we are.

Here are three reasons I’m so glad I learned how to take our own family photos.

1. I get the best smiles and laughs out of our kids.

Our kids are most comfortable with us.

They know us. They trust us. They don’t feel like they have to perform or act a certain way around us. And because of that, I get to capture the smiles, giggles, expressions, and little personalities that are uniquely them.

I know what makes them laugh. I know the silly things to say that will get the biggest grin. I know when they’re genuinely having fun and when they’re starting to get over it.

And honestly? No professional photographer can know our kids the way we do.

There’s something really special about being able to capture those authentic moments because I’m the one behind the camera.

2. There’s no pressure to “get the perfect photo.”

This might be my favorite part.

When we take our own photos, there’s no clock ticking. No pressure to get everyone smiling in the first five minutes. No worrying that we’re “wasting” our photographer’s time.

Instead, we make it fun.

The kids can bring their favorite toy to play with. I ask them what they want me to take pictures of. Sometimes they’ll run around, play, dance, tell jokes, or just be silly.

And every once in a while, I’ll say, “Alright, squeeze together and say cheese!” 😊

But the majority of the time, I’m just letting them be themselves.

And that’s what I love seeing in our photos.

Joy. Laughter. Connection. Their Unique Personalities.

3. We can take photos when it’s best for our family.

I love that we get to choose when we take our family photos. 

When the weather is beautiful or the kids are excited to take pictures - we can simply grab our camera and head outside. 

Sometimes that means taking a few photos in our backyard on a beautiful evening, and other times it might be a spontaneous moment when we’re already having fun together.

There’s something really special about being able to follow those little moments. 

We don’t have to wait for a specific date or fit our family into a certain schedule. 

We can take advantage of the days when the sun is shining, the kids are being silly, and we’re all enjoying being together.

And I think that freedom makes such a difference. 

We get to capture our family when everyone is comfortable and genuinely enjoying the experience.

It allows our photos to feel natural and joyful because we’re not just taking pictures—we’re enjoying the moment together. And that is what it’s all about! 

If you’ve ever wished you could capture your family in a way that feels natural, joyful, and true to who they are, I hope this gives you a little encouragement this is possible for your family too.

Because even though this is what it’s like for our family now, it was not always like this - family photos used to be something everyone dreaded in our family. And that’s what pushed me to learn how to take them myself.

And if you’re wondering, “Okay, but how do I actually do this?” — I’ve got you. I created a mini training that walks you through what’s actually important, and how to get started without wasting days or weeks trying to figure everything out on your own like I did.

After watching the training, you will have confidence to know what path that feels right for you, or if you're not ready yet.

You don’t have to be a professional photographer to capture sweet memories of your own family. You just need the desire to learn, a simple step-by-step plan, and confidence knowing you can take beautiful photos of your family.

I'm here to help when you're ready to start capturing more of the moments you never want to forget!