Why You’ll Never Regret Having Family Photos Taken

Life moves fast, and as they say, babies (toddlers, kids, teens…) just don’t keep.

One day you are sleep-deprived while soaking in your child’s newborn scrunch, and the next, you’re chasing a toddler through the backyard (or arguing with a threenager if we’re honest). Then, seemingly overnight, they’re off to school, making friends, and growing into their own little person. Parenting is such an amazing (really hard), rewarding and a roller coaster of a journey. I never thought it was possible to feel so many conflicting emotions at one time! You want them to sleep…but you’d also give anything to have them ask you to snuggle again.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that time doesn’t slow down—and that’s exactly why I love this work I do. Because family photos truly matter.

You will never regret taking the time to document these fleeting moments. But you might regret not having them. (And yes, we have our phones to get those day-to-day moments, but what about the moments as a whole family? The ones where you get to be present with your kids and savor it all?)

Your Memory Fades, but Photos Last

We are all victim to forgetting the little things. No matter how much we try to hold onto the tiny details—those chubby baby hands, the way your toddler clings to you (my favorite: “mama, hold you!”), the giggles, the cuddles— your memory fades over time. Photos bring those moments back to life (even if just for a moment). They remind you not just of how your family looked at a certain stage, but how it felt.

For You, But Also for Them

Family photos aren’t just for you—they’re for your children, too. Imagine your kids flipping through an album years from now seeing the way you looked at them with complete adoration. And not just in the future, but now. My kids love looking at all of our printed photo books and seeing prints from family photo sessions all over the house. They love hearing stories about when they were babies and what life has looked like through the years. Different studies have even proven that family photos in the home give children a sense of belonging and boost in self-confidence. (Want some more proof? Take a look at this chatbooks study about printed photos and how family photos strengthen families!)

A Worthwhile Investment

We invest in so many things—home decor, vacations, wardrobes—but few things hold their value like family photos. And I’m not just saying that because I’m a family photographer…I’m saying it as a mother myself who tries to hold on to time that just keeps pressing on.

Your photos become heirlooms, passed down from one generation to the next. They are proof of a life well-loved. And though no one wants to think about worst-case scenarios or what they’d grab in a house fire, the truth is, we’d grab those family photos because they are irreplaceable. (Remember how these amazing first responders helped save those irreplaceable memories in the Palisades fires?) You’ll never get time back with your baby once they are grown, and family photos are that beautiful reminder of the life you’ve built!

No Such Thing as “The Perfect Time”

It’s easy to put off family photos—waiting until you feel more confident, until your toddler is in a “better stage,” or until life slows down (spoiler: it never does). But the truth is, the best time to take family photos is now. Your family, just as it is today, is worthy of being documented. I promise.

Final Thoughts

You’ll never look back and wish you hadn’t captured these moments. But you might look back and wish you had.

So, if you’ve been thinking about scheduling family photos, take this as your sign to do it. Because years from now, when life looks completely different, you’ll be so grateful you did.

Amy Nicole Photography (Amy Cherry) has been a photographer for over 15 years. Amy is a family & newborn lifestyle photographer serving Charlottesville and Richmond, Virginia. She creates timeless, genuine and effortless photos for you and your family to enjoy for years to come. She offers on-location, at-home, studio and outdoor family photo sessions.