One of my favorite things about being a family photographer is getting to watch families grow.
I’ve been photographing the Smith family for four years now. A close friend originally referred them to me, and they have faithfully come back about every other year since.
Now their kids recognize me.
They greet me with smiles and hugs.
And I absolutely love it.
There is something so special about being able to document a family more than once and actually see how much changes from one session to the next.
You Don’t Have to Take Family Photos Every Year
There is no rule that says you have to schedule family photos every single year.
For some families, yearly photos are a tradition they love. For others, every two years feels much more manageable.
The important thing is having a rhythm that works for your family.
Even a two-year gap can make a huge difference when you look back at the photos.
Kids grow.
Personalities develop.
Hair changes.
Families get bigger.
And suddenly you’re looking at two galleries and realizing just how much happened in between them.
Every Session Captures a Different Version of Your Family
One of my favorite things about photographing the Smiths is seeing how their family changes.
Four years ago, I was meeting a different version of their family.
Now, the kids know me. They come ready to laugh and play, and there is a comfort between us that wasn’t there during our first session.
That familiarity makes such a difference.
We’re able to spend less time getting comfortable with the camera and more time just having fun together.
Let Your Kids Be Kids
The Smith family is always so much fun to photograph because they show up with great attitudes and plenty of smiles.
They’re playful.
They laugh.
They interact with each other.
And I don’t want to take that away from them by asking everyone to stand perfectly still for an entire session.
Some of my favorite family photos happen in between the traditional poses.
A kid laughing at something their sibling said.
Parents chasing or tickling their kids.
Everyone walking together.
A big group hug.
Those moments show what your family actually feels like right now.
Choose a Location That Gives You Room to Play
Kays Creek Parkway in Layton was a great setting for the Smith family’s session.
Outdoor locations with room to walk and move around can make family photography feel much more natural.
Instead of spending the entire session standing in one spot, we can move through the area and let the family interact as we go.
That also gives us variety in the final gallery without making the session feel complicated.
Your Family Photos Become a Time Capsule
When you take family photos every couple of years, you’re creating more than individual galleries.
You’re building a visual history of your family.
You can see the little kid who used to fit in your arms.
The sibling who suddenly shot up several inches.
The smile that changed.
The family dynamic that evolved.
And eventually, you’ll have years of images showing your family growing through different seasons of life.
That’s one of the biggest reasons I love repeat clients.
I don’t just get to photograph a family once. I get to become a small part of their story.
I’m So Glad the Smiths Keep Coming Back
The Smith family is always a joy to photograph.
I love that they keep coming back, and I love getting to see their kids grow up. At this point, those smiles and hugs when I see them are one of my favorite parts of the job.
If it’s been a couple of years since your last family photo session, maybe it’s time to update those pictures.
You don’t need a big reason.
Your family simply looks different than it did two years ago.
If you’re looking for family photos in Layton, Utah, I’d love to photograph your family and hopefully see you again a couple of years from now, too.
Cait is a Weber County photographer and mom of two who brings warmth, humor, and genuine kindness to every session. She loves helping even the camera-shy feel comfortable in front of the lens.
She specializes in family, newborn, kids and baby photography, headshots, personal branding, product photography, and real estate throughout Weber County and Northern Utah. When she’s not photographing, you’ll probably find her at home with a book club or working in basketball shorts.
November 7, 2026
Cait Montgomery
