Our world and our lives can feel exceptionally fast-paced compared to the lives of our parents and grandparents when they were our age. We have so many roles to play these days – parent, employee or boss, housekeeper, friend, and chauffeur for busy children who seem to have never-ending extracurricular activities.

With so much to pack into your schedule, it can feel like your day flew by with little time to do anything extra. The years come and go much more quickly than you imagine they will when you first bring your baby home from the hospital. But your children are proof of how fast time is passing – they can look different every week. Before you know it, they’re reaching major milestones – their first day of school, their first double-digit birthday, or passing you up in height.

Suddenly, you might realize that you haven’t taken nearly enough pictures of your children or of the entire family. Maybe you’ve missed those adorable photos when your child didn’t have their front teeth anymore or when they went through their awkward smile phase. It’s not too late to start documenting more of their days with pictures or taking more pictures of you as a family unit – 2023 could be your year to finally start taking more pictures.

Every photo is a meaningful keepsake, regardless of whether it is taken at home or at a professional photo session. As long as you’re taking photos on a regular basis, you can capture every moment, both big and small.

Ways to Begin Taking More Photos

Here are a few ways to ensure you take more photos in 2023.

• Create a schedule: If you want to take photos more regularly, schedule them just as you would with a doctor’s appointment by putting them on your calendar. Along with highlighting special events and milestones in your calendar, you could also set weekly reminders on your phone to take a new photo. Creating a schedule will also ensure that you can book a professional photographer well in advance for special events.
• Always have a camera ready: By making a point of keeping your phone or camera close by, you’ll always be ready to capture a memorable moment. Even if you’re simply heading out to the park with your kids like you always do, keep your camera on hand and make sure your phone’s battery is charged. A few minutes of taking pictures of your child in a baby swing at the park will help you remember that moment forever. If you have playdates at the park with another parent friend, ask them to snap a picture of you playing with your child – and then do the same for them.
• Download a new app: If you love being creative, why not download one of the many popular photo editing apps so that you can get creative with your family pictures? You’ll get to explore your creative side, and your new app will be the perfect excuse to take more photos.
• Have some fun at home. If you are spending the weekend at home, use this time to play dress-up with the kids and have some fun in front of the camera. You can even get your kids involved by getting them to take a few shots. Or you can go to your backyard for a picnic and photo shoot at sunset. Grab a selfie stick so you can all be in some of the pictures together. Your kids will love having a backyard adventure and taking family pictures, so don’t be surprised if they ask you when you’ll do it again. 
• Hand over the camera: Let your child be the photographer for a change. Hand them your camera and tell them to take a picture of you. Many times, parents are so busy taking pictures that they are rarely in pictures. While it’s wonderful to have a lot of pictures of your child, your child will someday want as many pictures of you as possible, and the ones they take of you will have a special place in their hearts. 
• Hire a photographer: If you aren’t well-versed in photography or you want to focus on enjoying being a subject in a photo instead of being the photographer, hire a professional photographer. A trained professional will be able to create frame-worthy professional photos that you’ll be proud to display on your wall. We would love to help you and your family to have gorgeous family portraits. Check out our family gallery here.

Enjoy Your Time Together

It can be easy to get sidetracked with your never-ending to-do list, but you should always keep in the back of your mind that moments are fleeting. Make sure you’re making the most of your family time by taking pictures, living in the moment, and enjoying each other’s company.