Before Time Turns the Page: The Beauty of Generational Portraits | by Phelan Family Photographer
Mom and daughters
Moms are often found behind the camera.
They’re busy taking photos of the kids and all the chaos that life brings, day in and day out. At the end of the day, they’re rarely in any of the family vacation photos.
You don’t deserve to get lost in the sea of photos.
It’s so rare to get all the family together these days. Life is full of schedules and can feel overwhelmingly busy.
Taking Jr. to baseball practice, dropping little Maria off at piano, and the baby just upchucked in the backseat. Did you remember to turn off the coffee pot?
As a mom with kids who are getting older, I want to tell you, you won’t miss those moments, despite what everyone tells you. You won’t miss the diapers, 3 am feedings, or tending to sick kids.
However, after they’re grown and gone, you’ll miss the sounds. No, not the crying or screaming, but just the general sound of chatter, laughs, and feet running up and down the hall.
You’ll miss holding those tiny hands.
You’ll miss wiping ice cream from their faces during a hot summer.
You’ll miss them falling asleep in your arms.
You’ll miss celebrating the holidays. No more egg dyeing or pumpkin carving messes. Sounds silly, but I miss that stuff the most.
The clock is ticking. You need to spend time with your loved ones, like grandparents, if you’re lucky enough to have them. It won’t be long until they are gone.
Having a photo of everyone together becomes priceless. I promise.
Have you noticed a slow tick in the opposite direction? People want to go back to landlines, less TV, and nobody really wants smart appliances in their homes anymore. Technology is fun, don’t get me wrong. My car practically drives itself.
But we are longing for something slower. Something tangible. Something meaningful.
A generational session isn’t just about taking a photo. It’s the preservation of love and a memory.
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5 Reasons to Book a Generational Photo Session
Below are five reasons, as if you actually needed one.
1. You Want to Preserve the Family Legacy
Days and years fly by so quickly when you’re busy living. You need to take the time to stop and reflect on something that really matters. Family.
When you have a Generation Photo, you tell a story. It becomes a piece of history. Your history. Your children’s history.
It shows where you all come from. Wrinkles on grandma’s face tell the story of where she came from and what she had to do to get here.
Children get to see their roots. And, be a part of it all.
It’s super powerful for kids to grow up seeing photos of:
Their mom and Grandma together. Photos with their aunts, mom, and grandma are even more meaningful.
Great Grandma snuggling the newest baby and surrounded by her other grandkids.
It tells the story of belonging. You come from something strong. This was all built for you.
I have a simple photo of my first baby, my grandma, me, and my dad in my grandma’s kitchen. It’s a 4 genertaion photo, nothing fancy, but it means a lot to me.
I also have a photo of my grandma with her grandkids (three of us) and my four kids.
Grandma being held by her grandchild
2. It’s Rare to Have Everyone in the Photo Together
Life can get busy; we all know this.
Schedules don’t align, and you often feel like you’re being pulled in five different directions.
Family members move and don’t visit often enough. I was the one who moved away. My mom moved, and I followed.
Seasons of life come and go. Marriage and divorce.
A generational session creates intentional space to pause and gather. Some families don’t ever get together until a funeral. And, everyone always says to each other, “we should get together more often”, but they never do.
“It’s not about perfection or outfits. It’s about proximity. Shoulders touching. Hands holding. Stories being shared. Love being told.”
3. The Photos Will Become Priceless
Right now, it’s fun and exciting. Maybe even a little stressful just thinking about getting everyone together.
However, what about ten years?
Priceless.
In twenty years?
Irreplaceable.
The days are long, but the years go by quickly.
Children grow up cherishing photos of their parents and grandparents together, especially once the dynamics shift.
4. One Day, the Photo Will be all You Have (dark, but true)
Divorce happens, and perhaps the grandparents can’t be together in the same room anymore.
A death occurs, and the child doesn’t remember grandpa at all. The new baby never got to meet grandma.
One day, Grandma’s laugh will only be an echo in your memory.
One day, her hands won’t be able to hold tiny ones anymore.
One day, the stories will be told about her instead of by her.
And when that day comes, photographs become sacred possessions.
They become:
Proof of love and laughter that you felt
A reminder of warmth that hugged you
Something to hold when you can’t hold your person anymore
I’m not trying to sound harsh, just honest. Some people get less time here on earth, while other gets lots of time.
Oftentimes, the only generational photo we have is from a relative’s wedding.
5. They Honor All Those Who Built Your Family
Generational sessions celebrate:
The matriarch. Mom, grandma, great grandma, and great great grandma.
The quiet strength. What they’ve been through, where they started, where they are now.
The sacrifices that were made along the way, before the babies were born.
It says:
“You matter.”
“Their life created your life.”
“All the love multiplied into something great.”
It’s not just for the newest and the young generation.
It honors the oldest generation, too.
When can I book you and your whole family?
An Invitation to Book Your Generation Session
Where do you see yourself and your family in ten years? Twenty-five years?
Takeaways from this heartfelt topic:
I really encourage you not to wait for “the perfect time.”
Perfection isn’t required; only your presence is.
Together, you’ll create something wonderful that your grandchildren will hold someday.
“Someday, your adult child will flip through the album, point, and say ‘That’s my mom, your grandma. And that’s her mom, your great grandma. That’s where we come from.’
And that my dear friend… is worth preserving.”
Thank you for reading “Before Time Turns the Page: The Beauty of Generational Portraits | by Phelan Family Photographer”. I hope it gave you all the feels and something to really think about.
If you’d like to be in photos with your kids, check out this post on how to take better iPhone photos.
Thanks for hanging out with me today!
Cheers,
Annette
