A favorite client of mine recently booked me for a photo session including the grandparents. Coincidentally, the session took place on grandparents day, which is September 12th. It was a special session for this family because the grandparents were in the states visiting from Germany, so it was the perfect opportunity to capture professional photos with the extended family. I was thrilled to capture this session, not only because I love working with this family, but also because I love photographing grandparents. I figured I would use this session as an opportunity to blog about why I feel including grandparents in your family photos is so important.

Simply put, who is more important than a grandparent?! I had the best grandparents and my bond with them was like no other. My childhood memories all involve time spent with them. In fact, my eldest daughter’s first name is my maternal grandparents’ last name. My own children have a strong bond with their own grandparents as well. It is such a blessing that they have so many wonderful and special moments shared with both their maternal and paternal grandparents. So, it is no surprise that I feel so strongly about capturing your own families with extended family members. Here are some reasons why I feel this way.

Kids and grandparents have a special relationship.

There was no one like my Nana and Grandpa. Not only because they loved me immeasurably and unconditionally, but also because of the time I spent with them. My childhood memories all involve my grandparents. I spent Summers at their home, every family gathering included them, they joined us on family vacations and even when they moved to Florida, I still saw them countless times throughout the years. My own girls have a similar experience with their own grandparents and their bond with each of them is special in its own unique way.

Although I have plenty of images of my girls with their grandparents, I wish I had professional photos taken of me with my grandparents when I was a child. I bet you feel this way too. Scheduling a professional portrait session with grandparents is a git that keeps on giving. It is a gift to your parents, yourself and, most importantly, your children. Photos provide children with tangible and lasting memories of their time spent with their loving grandmother and grandfather.

You will Cherish These Photos Too

Professional family photography becomes a family heirloom, especially when printed and shared in your life through prints, albums, framed art. Having these albums and prints for your children to look at is a constant reminder of their bond with family. My children look at our family albums constantly and they love it because it reminds them of all of the wonderful memories they have experienced.

Grandparents Love Being Included

Most grandparents will be thrilled to be included in a photo session with their grandbabies. Even those who don’t love being photographed will be happy that you asked them to participate. After any grandparents sees these images, they will be so happy they took the time to capture photos with their grandchildren.

As I mentioned, grandparents do not need to be in every photo. Even having them appear for a few minutes of a session works great. I recently took the opportunity to include my parents in a family photo session and I love the images taken of them with my children. Even though I a a photographer and capture special moments all the time within my own family, having photos of all of us together is something I will forever cherish.

It is Nice to Have Updated Family Photos

I bet that the most recent photos with your parents were taken at your wedding. Am I right? Those images are beautiful, but do they tell the story of your family now? Most likely they do not. After all, your wedding photos were captured way back before children and before the entire dynamic and energy of your family changed. Scheduling a professional photo session will allow you to get updated images with your parents that are fun and light hearted.

Grandparents can Help with the Kids

If you have multiple children, a toddler, or a baby, having grandparents present during a family photography session can be very helpful.

Extra arms are always welcome to wrangle kids! Extra eyes to keep an eye on runaway toddlers! Also, grandparents can be very good at cajoling smiles out of shy babies, but just make sure they are doing this directly above my lens so baby is looking at camera.

A Photo Session or Photo Products is a Great Gift

If you are anything like me, then finding the perfect gift for your parents is a struggle. You can book a family photo session as a gift for your parents or in-laws, or you could gift them prints, albums, framed desk art after the session. These products are perfect for the holidays, anniversaries, Mother’s or Father’s Day, or a birthday. Again, this is the gift that keep on giving and is one that the entire family benefits.

If you are interested in a family session, contact me.