My friend Mo came a few weeks ago and took some pictures of our family. I love, love, love taking family photos in our home–the one above is my absolute favorite and we’ll be getting it framed soon! We’ve done family photos on location before–and they were beautiful–but there’s something about capturing your home as part of the family as well. Additionally, Mo used black and white film (as opposed to just editing them black and white) and I can’t tell you how much I LOVE these photos. The look is so classically elegant and surprisingly different! I even edited a couple of our family photos to be b+w as well. Ha–I know I just said it’s not the same as actually having b+w film, but I couldn’t help it! You might also recognize these photos as the ones I used for the Mother Mag feature. I’m so lucky to know so many talented photographers… we’ve had a lot of great family photos over the years. See here, here, here and here.
If you’re in the Chicago or surrounding areas check out Momoko Photography.
Most of these are for a project she’s doing on mothers and daughters, so if you’re wondering why B isn’t in more of the photos….well that’s why. Also, we did all the family photos outside which is my only regret! I really wish we had pulled B in for some of the indoor photos. They’re still great, but again…there was just something about those indoor photos. I know family photos can be an investment, but to me so worth it. Especially when they can capture a mood and feel like these photos do. Do you get family photos regularly? If so how often? I know it can be hard doing styling, managing kids and even your own expectations–do you think it’s worth it? Also have you ever had a family photo shoot you totally regretted? If so what did you regret and what did you do about it?
These are so beautifully done — their tone is perfect — that I want to hang them in my home. That would be weird though, having photos of an unrelated family on my walls.
Family portraits are definitely worth the investment, but the weightier decision for me is when to get them. We take enough pictures of milestones as time passes, so getting everybody done up for portraits that we'd pay biggish money for has to feel like a bigger deal than usual. It's an occasion that the family understands as special and I'd cross my fingers and toes that some people would cooperate and not throw any fits. Thinking ahead, I'd probably get them every two to three years, and that's because maybe I'm too scared of getting them more often because of the potential regret you mention.
May…thanks! I like that you used the word 'tone'…I agree. The tone is excellent. I also agree that it *would* be weird to hang our family photos in your own home. 🙂
And yes, like you we do them every few years…and I'm always glad when we do. We've had a range of prices from free to rather pricy (some have been good friends and/or an exchange). But being an artist of course I think they are worth the price–just like any good art. Granted, there is a bit of a risk … but for my it's always paid off.
These photographs are all so beautiful! My husband never wants to spend on professional photos, but I must show him so he better appreciates it! The photo of PSP carrying Lamp is so precious it brought tears to my eyes. Such a beautiful moment to capture of their special sisterhood. There are times when I see my older son helping my younger son out of his wheelchair and it is such a beautiful moment not because one is helping the other with a disability but because that is part of their bond that is so natural to them.
Jill–I understand, my husband can cringe a little at the cost as well…but for the most part he's been pleased with the result. Phew!
And yes PSP carrying Lamp is a precious picture for exactly the reason you stated…so well put.
The photos are beautiful and look timeless. We do not do family photos. We take a lot of photos, and have lots of lovely ones, but never have paid for them. I'm not the type to decorate with photos, either. I have very few framed around the house. I'm probably in the weird minority but I do not like big portrait photos of kids on the walls. My kids inhabit my home and pretty much every room has a nod to their interest or quirks. Their presence and personalities are part of the fiber of this home. Their creations and artwork has been on our walls all over the house, but photos and portraits? Nope.
Jillbert–Interesting! And I totally respect your opinion. And it's funny because the pictures that we've paid the most for (our wedding photos) we don't even have one around right now. I think I need to make sure we get one up–ha! I don't know if that had anything to do with your comment, but a funny realization that paying for photos doesn't always result in their use (at least not ALL the time.)
My parents parted when I was 2 and so the first time I had a photo with both of them was my wedding. I hated it! Since I have had a family of my own (eldest is 18 next month, youngest 13) we have been religious about getting pics done. I use to go for the cheap ones, done at schools/kindy as a fundraiser. Now we have a regular photographer that we use each year, normally November, who doesn't charge a ton. I always love them. My kids are so use to it only yesterday my daughter (16yrs) asked what our colour scheme was for this year, haha.