Importance of Family and Memories

Importance of Family and Memories

Hi, Welcome to Gma’sPhoto! All joking aside, family portraits are important. Autumn is just around the corner. One of the most desired season for family portraits. Then Thanksgiving and Christmas, both holidays the family gathers. What an opportunity for that family photo!

It is recommended while children are young, to have a family portrait taken at minimum, once a year. As children age, every other year. Once the children are adults, every five years. As a retired professional photographer, and as a senior aged grandma, I know how time does not stand still. Having these memories, priceless.

You may be thinking that professional portraits are expensive. Yes, it can be. However, this is not the only option you have. Other choices would include a friend taking the images. Setting up a tripod and using the camera timer. Even a selfie stick works! The important thing is, you have that family picture!

Let’s talk about the ‘professional’ portrait. What is a professional image anyway? They look nice. They can cost more money. The actual image quality is better. What if I can explain how you can achieve these qualities yourself? 🙂 One can create beautiful images on a budget or spend as much as you wish. Remember, it’s taking the shot that is important. I’ll be referencing past posts and images I have taken over the years as an example.

This image was taken because of the opportunity. Getting the shot was the goal. No planning. No clothing coordination. It was taken just this past Fourth of July. The family does not live close. Aging parents. Next year we may or may not be able to replicate this same shot. I took this photo with my iPhone. It was printed (at Walmart) and added to my family photo book.

Again, this image was taken for the opportunity. Kevin took the image as he is not one to like having his picture taken. It was with the iPhone. Printed at Walmart and put in frame bought at Walmart as well.

This next set of images, I had spent more time and money on the images and presentation.

Top image is of my grand daughter when she was five years old. Planning her clothing was not intentional. She wore her favorite color, purple. I did use my ‘professional’ camera. The image was printed thru Mpix.com. This is a pro-consumer photography lab. For the frame, I had Hobby Lobby make it using oak wood to match my dinning room furniture.

The bottom three images were taken at Kmart years ago. Again, the frame was from Hobby Lobby. Not custom, one already made and was bought at half price. Hobby Lobby has some of the best deals!

The next set of images were again taken with my ‘professional’ camera and lighting. It is the framing I would like to bring your attention to.

It was during Adam’s senior year of high school. The senior session time! His was taken on location. Erika’s image was while we were at my folks house and I was testing my new studio lights. It was taken during the time Erika attended college. Now the surprising fact regarding the frames. These were purchased from a thrift store. Yes, that is right! These were probably the least expensive frames I ever bought.

The next example is the one I did spend more time with planning. Planning the location, clothing, camera settings and time of day. The frame was planned as well. It was printed as a 30×36 wall print then custom framed by Hobby Lobby. The plans for the frame is reusing. Each new family portrait will replace the existing. So even though the frame was an expense, it will be used repeatedly.

It’s time for me to begin planning our next family portrait. It’s been five years since this one was taken!

Hopefully, with these examples, I have shown that no matter the equipment and price involved, nice images can be taken. What the images did not explain is how to plan for the clothing, what to wear. Check out the What to Wear series for inspiration for your next family photo!

Take Care. Best wishes, Debra

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