The blush outfits for the girls are the tip of the iceberg for this gorgeous family of three (with one on the way). Even with one child, family pictures can be challenging. (Sometimes husbands are the worst of all). But I remember the chaos of my first family pictures, when I was a kid. And man oh man, am I glad things have changed. What would we do without modern family photography?!

Back in the Day

My first memories of family pictures involves lots of screaming as mom tried to curl our hair with a curling iron. And crying siblings screaming because they don’t want to get dressed. We’d drive over to Fred Meyer, all the time messing up our new hairdo’s or disheveling our outfits, to mother’s dismay.

The worst is the actual session. We crammed into this tiny little frame. Meanwhile, the person behind the massive camera tries to get our attention with stuffed frogs.

Remember how long it would take afterwards?! And since we were poor growing up, we could only afford a few prints. My parents spent what felt like hours deciding on the perfect shots to order. And no wonder we couldn’t afford the whole stack… with all the studio time, props, backdrops and colorful lights. It’s amazing how family photography has changed. And thank heaven, right?

Now, most family pictures can be taken outside or in large roomie studios. A lot of families even do family pictures in their own homes. No more being stuffed into a tiny room. Now there’s a lot more room for big personalities and movement (oh, and bodies).

Kids still don’t always love family pictures. But I can’t imagine how my three little ones would do with the old system… Actually I can, and it’s making me anxious just thinking about it.

So here’s to less posing, less sitting still, and more variety! Here’s to modern family photography and this beautiful family of three.

Kylee Maughan

Kylee started Kylee Ann Photography 9 years ago, and has since grown from a one woman amateur show to a full associate team. We shoot 50-75 weddings a year, and thrive on kindness and service. After a year of teaching Intro to Photography at the local technical college, she discovered that helping other entrepreneurs create thriving businesses is what fires her up! She hosts semi-annual Kylee Ann Sleepovers all over the US, speak at conferences and teach online courses about running a small business and marketing.

kyleeannphotography.com/kylee