Earlier this year, I contacted Caitlin, one of my closest friends to see if she had any idea of when to plan for photos for her family. She of course, said that she had a couple of dates open. We decided to take her kids to Sandy Bottom Nature Park in Hampton and let them play on one Sunday afternoon. While discussing the details, we made sure there were no plans outside of when to go. Additionally, we set no schedule on what to do while there.

In fact, she and her husband, Rich have six young children between the ages of infant and 9 years old. Undoubtedly, their lives can get kind of chaotic. However, I love spending time with all of them because they are always full of amazing ideas on how to live in the moment together. For this reason, I view their family as an amazing example of how I slow down to spend time with my son.

While driving home from Sandy Bottom, I began thinking. SO, I WANT TO PRESENT THAT THOUGHT:

Firstly, I want you to think about how you plan your day. Secondly, I want to know if you make a to-do list? Finally, what are all the tasks you put on there? Are you like me and list the most important things top to bottom?

In other words, I want to know how do you prioritize what you have to do?

Also, how do you decide what priorities you need to get done versus what you can delay?

In the midst of all these questions, there is, in fact, a very real component that adds urgency – Time.

If you are a parent like me, then you know we tend to plan our days with the “Gotta Get Dones”. Nevertheless, our unending lists are usually filled with work, school, appointments, shopping, etc.

In particular, what I want to know is, where does your seasonal or yearly family photography session fall in all of this? Surely, that session is probably near the end of that list, amiright? And, if you are like me, the thought usually goes, “Well, school is most important and that takes up most of the day; while the weekend is packed with sports, and chores. And, of course, let’s not forget, we have to go get groceries.”

Consequently, “We just didn’t have time” creeps right up on you, doesn’t it?

In fact, it seems so daunting to plan sometimes — because some days are too busy. Because that is life and life gets hectic, even when we intend to slow down.

But what if I were to tell you, it’s a bit more important to schedule your session now than you probably realize?

If you were to do a quick Google search, you would evidently find there are many opinions on how we view time and how it impacts our lives. However, the one thing I think we all can agree on is that we always have the present. Obviously, we can’t go back to the past, and the future isn’t guaranteed. But, we do have now.

For one thing, our children; our family, are right here and they JUST ARE right now. Of course, we do see them day to day, and we do grow with each other. But, in five days, five months, five years, they will be someone completely different.

So, the answer for when to plan for photos, is right now. It’s always and significantly right now.

How cute would it be to get pictures done of your family preparing dinner together with the older kids or baking holiday cookies? Imagine preserving the fun memory of taking the kids for ice cream dates when the weather warms up.

All of these things are worthy of documenting because they are going to be the moments we miss the most when the present draws us forward into a new version of ourselves.

And, let’s book a session to talk about when to plan for photos. Because, I absolutely know and guarantee that you will enjoy the experience. 

Enjoy the gallery of the kids playing at Sandy Bottom Nature Park. I know we all enjoyed the time out there!