I love when moms come to me to capture memories of their little ones. But you know what I love even more? When moms are brave enough to make sure that they are in some of those pictures too. Here’s why I feel that it’s so important that moms need to be in photos:

Mom in black ruffled dress holding up her toddler daughter while the two of them laugh together in a New Jersey park

Mom is Usually the One Taking the Picture

Think about it. Who is the one who is usually snapping pics of everything from the family vacation to those adorable everyday moments? It’s mom! And while you absolutely want to capture those memories of your little ones, you might be surprised as you look through your photos just how few there are of you.

Mother and her three daughters pose in pastel dresses in a New Jersey portrait studio

Your Kiddos Will Want Pictures of the Two of You Together

If you’re absent from most of the family photos, that’s a problem, because believe me, your kiddos will want pictures of the two of you together. They’ll want to look back and remember the great mom you were, the love you showed them, and the fun memories you helped them build.

It’s Important to Capture Family Connections, Not Just Portraits

While individual portraits are beautiful, I can’t tell you how important it is that you capture not just individual family members, but the love and connections between each of you. And mom, in so many ways, is the heart of that family unit, the one that keeps so many things running smoothly and makes sure everyone feels loved and cared for.

Mom and Dad laughing together as they hold their newborn twins

You Are Beautiful and Worth It!

That effort—the amazing, nonstop, endlessly rewarding and yes, sometimes messy work of motherhood, deserves to be captured! To your family, you are the embodiment of motherhood and all that it means.

Woman in business suit laughing during her photoshoot as her young daughter climbs up on the posing block next to her

So do yourself and your loved ones a favor: Set aside those fears and insecurities and that idea that you have to be perfect, and make sure that you are part of your family’s photo legacy. You’re a huge part of the picture in every other way—you need to be in the photos too! Whether you book a professional session or just hand off the camera to your spouse or a friend for a few shots, your children will thank you for making sure that their family memories are complete with one of the most important people ever to be part of their lives!

All of my photo collections include a set number of digital images. After your session, you’ll receive a link to your gallery, where you can select the pics you love and want to keep. But…it can be intimidating to try to pick favorites from among so many beautiful photos! Here are a few tips that can help you narrow down the pictures from your session.

Set Aside Some Uninterrupted Time

Choosing photos takes a lot of concentration! Rather than trying to do it on the fly, set aside some dedicated time to really focus on your photos. You might also find that it helps to do this alone before coming together with your partner. This way, you’ve both identified your favorites without influence from anyone else and can feel more confident in your decisions.

(This is one reason I don’t have parents come to the studio to choose pictures. This is something you should be able to do at your leisure and without feeling pressured by other people’s input.)

Divide Your Photos Into Categories

Rather than try to choose your favorites from the whole collection all at once, try picking your favorites from a smaller group. For example, which are your favorite pictures of mom and baby? Which are your favorites of baby and their big brother? Which are your favorite shots of the whole family?

Dividing it up into categories can keep you from getting overwhelmed and also ensure that you get a nice variety. Plus, you can feel more certain you didn’t miss anything!

Couple hold their toddler daughter in a New Jersey park near sunset during their family maternity photoshoot

Decide How You Want to Use Your Photos

Knowing how you want to use and share your photos can be a big help in deciding which ones to keep. If you want to print and frame some images, think about where you want to hang them in your home. If you’ll be giving photos as gifts, which ones would be most meaningful to grandparents or other family members?

It’s also a great idea to put some thought into this before your session. If you already know how you want to display your pictures, we’ll be sure to get exactly the shots you want!

New Jersey Photo Sessions

I hope these three tips for narrowing down the photos from your session help to simplify the process and give you confidence in the decision-making process. And remember, if the decision is just too hard, you can always purchase extra images separately!

If you have other questions or are ready to book your session, please be in touch. I’m so excited to hear from you!