Why My Family Photos Are Important To Me

As a wedding photographer, I’ve had the privilege of capturing some of life’s most precious moments for countless couples. Weddings are full of love, laughter, and tears of joy, and it’s an honour to be able to preserve those memories for years to come. But as much as I love photographing weddings, I also understand the importance of capturing my own family photos, especially in today’s fast-paced and ever-changing world.

As our lives get busier and more chaotic, it’s easy to forget the importance of family. With my work, being away on weekends, the kids school, and other commitments taking up so much of our time, it can be challenging to find moments to slow down and spend quality time with our family. That’s where family photos come in. They serve as a tangible reminder of the people we love and the memories we’ve shared with them.

As a dad and a photographer, I’ve come to appreciate documentary family photography more than ever. I didn’t have many pictures of myself when I was young, especially as a baby or toddler, or with my friends. Back in those days, we didn’t have the convenience of digital cameras or camera phones  like we do now, so photos weren’t as easy to come by. My parents didn’t have a fancy camera, either. If they wanted to take pictures of my brother and me, they had to rely on disposable cameras that could only take 24 or 36 exposures at a time. Looking back at those photos now whenever I got to my parent’s house, I’m filled with a sense of nostalgia and warmth. They remind me of all the happy times we shared together, from family holidays to special occasions. Even my own kids love looking at the photos of my when I was young, they have a good chuckle and can’t fathom that once up on a time I was a baby too! These photos weren’t the best composed, out of focus, slanted….well basically not very well taken at all, but they were alive and I love them! Those kind of photographs have super powers! 

At weddings, I always encourage my clients to take family group photos during their wedding day, you can read more about why family photos at weddings are important here. While the focus is usually on the couple, I believe it’s essential to capture photos of their loved ones too. Weddings are a time when families come together, and it’s important to document those relationships. As much as group photos are important, I really strive to capture the essence of each family’s unique dynamics, by taking natural photos of them too. Some families are boisterous and full of laughter, while others are more reserved and introspective. Whatever the case may be, I try to capture those nuances and showcase the love and connection between family members.

I wrote this article as reminder to myself to take more photos of my family, because firstly kids grow up so quickly it truly is crazy how time flies, but also no one lives forever, and the older my mum and others around me get the more I realise I need to take more photos of them. My youngest daughter Isla will only know my dad through my photos I have of him along with my wedding video, so photos really hold a super power! I have the cameras at home, lying around during the off season, I need to use them more to take photos of people nearest and dearest to me. I truly believe that photos of our family are a way to honour those who have come before us too. When we take photos with our parents, grandparents, and other family members, we’re acknowledging the sacrifices they’ve made and the love they’ve given us throughout our lives. It’s a way to say thank you and to show our appreciation for everything they’ve done for us, and a reminder to my children where they have come from.

Here are 100 of my favourite photos of my family over the last 3 years or so

So if I could give myself and you guys one piece of advice about taking photos, is just take them! Whether its on your your phone, on your old or new camera it doesn’t matter. Because honestly it doesn’t matter if they are blurry, taken badly or not well composed, in the future you will love those photos and will be so happy you have them! Finally don’t let your photos die on usb or in the ‘cloud’, set them free – print them out, get them up, hang them anywhere you spend time, it will make you and your family happy! And it will make your photos happy. After all, who wants to be left in a box and forgotten about? Believe me, when those images are still making you smile in twenty years in pride of place, you’ll be glad you did.

I hope you enjoyed reading the article and looking through some of my favourite family photos!  If you’re interested in me capturing your special day, then please get in touch. I only capture up to 25 weddings per year to make sure that I give every single one of my couples 110% of my energy, effort and creativity. You can read what other couples have said about me either via my google reviews or by my kind words page. Get in touch and I look forward to talking to you soon.