The photos I wish I had: why every mum should be in the frame with their kids
Confessions of a family photographer who never had a family photoshoot
Recently, I did a newborn session for a family who just welcomed their second baby. As I was going through the images to edit, I got a bit emotional. There was so much love in those moments—real, tangible, messy love. And as I sat there, I realised something: I don’t have a photograph like that of myself.
In fact, I barely have any photographs of me with my children when they were small. Now, looking back, I can say this: I really regret not booking a family photoshoot. These few photos are all I have of those early newborn days. And while I treasure them, I wish I had more—not just for me, but for my children.
This is a big part of why I do what I do. I don’t want other families—especially mums—to miss out the way I did.
Why I didn’t think about booking a photographer when the kids were little…
I didn’t like how I looked—stained clothes, bags under my eyes, hair constantly in a messy bun. But now, looking back at those rare photos of me with my kids, as a middle-aged woman with wrinkles and creaky joints, I realise how unfair I was on myself. I didn’t see it at the time, but those moments were beautiful in their own way.
Life felt so slow and monotonous in the newborn bubble that I thought there was no rush. But this morning, I kissed a reluctant near-teen goodbye as he headed out the door, and I realised: I don’t know where all that time went.
The idea of arranging a photoshoot felt like such a hassle. What would I wear? Where would we go? I didn’t know that you can have beautiful photos taken in your home, with no preparation, no makeup, no tidying and no stress.
But, most importantly, the hard truth is that I found the babyhood phase so challenging that the last desire I had was about capturing it. But I was wrong. Those years shaped me as much as they shaped my children, and yet I have almost no photos to show for it, as if I wasn’t there.
My message to you: get in the picture
So here’s my call for you to act: book the photoshoot. Whether it’s with me or a photographer of your choice, just do it. Find somebody whose style speaks to you—your way of being, parenting, and living—and book the session.
If you want a relaxed and unposed session at home, documenting your real life with minimal hassle, I’m your person. These photographs aren’t just for today; they’re an investment in memories that will last a lifetime. They’ll become part of your family’s story—images that your children, and their children, will treasure for years to come.
Don’t let the everyday moments slip by unnoticed. They’re more precious than you think.
(Not quite ready? Download my brochure instead, so you can be sure we are the perfect fit!)
