4 Ways Photography Makes Your Family Closer
Today we get to learn again from CWK contributor and photography teacher, Beryl Ayn Young. She’s an expert at helping moms and dads connect through the lens with their families. ~Alissa
I never intended photography to be an activity my whole family would enjoy, but somehow it’s become one that has truly brought us all together.
My own love of photography was sparked pre-kids, and my motive for learning was to be able to take better photos once I had the privilege of becoming a mom. Photography was initially something that made ME feel good, and confident, and happy.
Although it surely is wonderful to have a creative outlet for myself, now that I’m mom to a busy toddler I can also say with pride that photography is a hobby that is reaping benefits for my whole family too.
4 key ways photography benefits my whole family:
A camera is an instant memory preserver
This is probably the most obvious, but time seems to go so much FASTER since becoming a mom. Which has made it even more difficult to remember all of the memories that we’re making each and every day. Taking pictures is my way of slowing things down for just a second in our day to day lives, helping all of us remember what life looked like during a particular moment in time.
Its a built in tool to connect
I find that when I’m behind the lens my attention instantly turns towards my kiddo and whatever is going on in her world. I love to interact, play, and ask her questions in between shots to truly immerse myself in whatever moment it is we are sharing.
Taking pictures strengthens our creative muscles
Photography can be a great catalyst for sparking everyone’s creative energies. From dress up play and imaginative ideas that beg to be captured, to framing and composing the most unique shot, to playing with editing tools on the computer after the fun is over — a camera is a a simple (and non-messy) tool that allows our creativity to go wild.
Photos have the power to make anyone and everyone smile (most of the time…)
I know at times it can feel like pulling teeth getting that image where everyone is happily engaged with the camera lens and smiling naturally. Even though not every moment we snap will be a smile filled one, just remember the end goal: to make em’ smile after the shot is taken. I have countless photos of our day to day lives that are now filling up albums that make us all smile only once we look back over them
You’re not being selfish
If you’re reading this and thinking you’d like to improve your photography skills or photo taking consistency, I encourage you to think of all the ways a camera is truly a tool the whole family can enjoy. You won’t regret is as you see your child proudly pick up a camera and try to ‘take pictures like mommy’, as your loved ones help you seek out the best light and composition for a particular photo, or as you all enjoy looking back at albums filled with fond family memories.
For more on connecting through photography check out:
- How to Get Great Birthday Photos Without Missing the Party
- 4 Ways to Connect with Kids Through Photos – On Screen and Off
64 Positive Things to Say to Kids
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As a fellow photographer, I couldn’t agree more! I’ve got so many memories of my daughters first years, that due to the stress of a multitude of things, I can’t necessarily remember. Or last summer for example, I lost my twins to still birth, so I mentally wasn’t there, but I’ve got the pictures to look back on now. It truly help us all focus on the fun, the happy, and the insane times! We don’t forget about the bad, but the pictures help us remember the good we may not 😀 I think this was a great article. Really affirms what I’ve always believed & people thought was crazy!
P.S I love the photos in the article! Especially the one of the two laughing! Priceless!
So glad you have those photos! I love that one of them laughing too. By the way, did you know Beryl offers her class “Illuminate” for free, inspired by her own journey through loss? https://www.berylaynyoung.com/illuminate/ From the class description: “Illuminate is a free photo healing class experience designed for those who have lost a child during pregnancy or infancy. It’s a creative outlet for processing grief, for remembering your loss, and for finding healing behind the lens of a camera.” You might enjoy that. Thanks for stopping by! ~Alissa
Oh I agree, but I am also torn, because as a single mother, I am forced to be the one taking the photos OR the one living life – but not both! I can’t be captured having fun with my child a lot of the time, as there is no one else to do the capturing. And if I am constantly with a camera in my hands, it gets in the way of the moment sometimes. But great thoughts, thanks! And I think that when my daughter gets a bit older, she’ll be more interested in taking a few photos of her own.