There’s no magic number for how often your family needs professional photos. But if you ask me as a San Diego family photographer, I usually recommend once a year for most families.

Not because you need another perfectly posed photo every 12 months. It’s because your family changes so much in a year.

Kids grow. Hair changes. Personalities develop. Favorite things come and go. Babies become toddlers. Toddlers suddenly look like big kids. And somehow, the photos from last year already feel like they were taken forever ago.

Annual family photos give you a simple way to document those changes without having to think too hard about it.

Once a Year Is a Great Starting Point

For most families, I love the idea of making family photos an annual tradition.

You can schedule them around a birthday, the start of a new school year, the holidays, or simply your favorite season in San Diego. You don’t even have to choose the exact same month every year.

The goal is simply to have one intentional session each year where you freeze this version of your family.

And honestly, you’ll be surprised by how much can change between sessions.

When You Might Want Photos More Often

Some seasons of life are worth documenting more than once a year.

If you have a new baby, I may recommend maternity and newborn photos, followed by another family session when your baby is around six months or a year old.

If your kids are growing quickly, you might want a session every six months for a little while. This can be especially fun when they are in those toddler and preschool years when their personalities seem to change overnight.

You might also want an extra session when something significant happens in your family:

• A new baby
• A big birthday
• Moving to a new home
• A graduation
• A child leaving for a mission or college
• A blended family coming together
• A special family trip
• A milestone you simply want to remember

You don’t need a major reason, either. Sometimes you just look at your kids and think, I want to remember them exactly like this.

That’s reason enough.

Your Family Photos Don’t Have to Look the Same Every Year

One of my favorite things about photographing families year after year is seeing how much their sessions can change.

You might do a beach session one year and a more adventurous outdoor session the next. You can change your outfits, location, season, or even the way we approach the session.

Your family doesn’t need to recreate the same photo every year.

Instead, let your photos show what this particular season of your family actually felt like.

That might mean running barefoot on the beach, letting your kids explore, snuggling your new baby, or documenting the hilarious personality your five-year-old has right now.

Those are the details you’ll want later.

What I Recommend for Most San Diego Families

If you want a simple rule, one family photography session every year is a great rhythm.

Then add sessions during the seasons that feel especially meaningful to you.

You don’t need to wait until everyone is perfectly dressed, your house is organized, or your kids are old enough to “behave” for photos. They are never going to be this exact age again.

As a San Diego family photographer, I want your photos to show more than what your family looked like. I want them to remind you what this season actually felt like.

If it’s been a year since your last family session—or if you’re realizing you really want to document this version of your family—reach out to me, Shelby, and let’s plan your next San Diego family photo session.

Shelby Preston

Shelby is a San Diego photographer, wife, and mom who has always loved creating and capturing meaningful moments. She brings a fun, relaxed energy to every session and loves helping her clients feel confident and comfortable in front of the camera.

She specializes in family, newborn, maternity, senior, branding, and wedding photography throughout San Diego County, including the surrounding coastal communities.

kyleeannphotography.com/