Why Every Parent Needs a Professional Family Portrait (and How Senior Portraits Can Be the Start)

Time moves fast, especially when you’re raising kids. One day, they’re starting kindergarten, and the next, they’re graduating high school, ready to take on the world. As a parent, these milestones are bittersweet, you’re beyond proud, yet you wish you could slow time just a little.

A senior portrait session at the beach, along with family moments that capture the joy of this milestone. A mix of solo and family images highlights the connection and celebration of this special time.

That’s why professional family portraits are so important. They freeze these fleeting moments, turning them into treasured keepsakes that last long after your children have grown. And if you haven’t had a family portrait in years, a senior session is the perfect reminder to book one.

Senior Portraits: The Perfect Starting Point

Senior year is a huge milestone, not just for your teen but for your whole family. It marks the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. A senior portrait session is a wonderful way to celebrate your high schooler’s personality and achievements, but it’s also the perfect opportunity to update your family portraits.

A senior portrait session that beautifully combines individual and family moments. The senior poses confidently in a cozy outfit, while heartwarming family portraits capture the love and connection between parents and their graduate. A perfect blend of celebrating this milestone while creating lasting family memories.

Many parents realize during a senior session just how long it’s been since the last full family photo. Maybe the last professional pictures you had were when your kids were toddlers, or perhaps you never got around to scheduling one at all. This is the moment to change that! Why not turn your senior’s photoshoot into a full family session? You’ll capture their milestone while also preserving memories of your entire family together.

Why Professional Family Portraits Matter

Life gets busy, and it’s easy to put off scheduling a family session. But here’s why you shouldn’t wait:

  • Kids Grow Up Fast – You blink, and suddenly, they’re off to college or starting their own families. Having a professional portrait ensures you have tangible memories of this stage in life.
  • Professional Quality Matters – A professional photographer knows how to pose, light, and edit your images to make sure everyone looks their best.

A senior portrait and family session at a historic location. The senior poses confidently against a stone wall, while family portraits showcase the warmth and connection among siblings and parents. A perfect blend of celebrating a senior milestone while capturing meaningful family memories.

  • Family Portraits Make Great Gifts – Whether for grandparents or displayed in your own home, a beautiful family portrait is a meaningful keepsake.
  • You Deserve to Be in the Photos – Too often, parents are behind the camera instead of in front of it. A professional session ensures you have images where everyone is included.

Making It Easy: Combining Sessions

If you’re already scheduling senior portraits, consider making it a two-part session. We can start with individual senior shots, then bring the whole family in for some group portraits. It’s an easy way to check both off your list while everyone is together and looking their best.

A senior portrait and family session at the beach. One image captures a confident senior posing against a rustic stone wall, while another showcases a warm family moment with siblings and their mother. A perfect combination of celebrating a senior milestone and cherishing family connections.

Don’t Wait for ‘The Perfect Time’

Many parents put off family portraits, waiting for the “right” moment—when schedules clear up, when everyone is available, or when life slows down. But the truth is, there will always be a reason to wait. Instead, make it a priority now. Your future self (and your future grown kids) will be so grateful you did.

Let your senior’s big moment be the reminder you need to capture your entire family. These portraits will be ones you cherish forever.

 

A senior and family portrait session set in a scenic outdoor location. The images capture a mix of heartfelt family moments, a solo senior portrait with a warm smile, and a sibling bond against a natural backdrop. A perfect combination of celebrating a senior milestone and cherishing family connections.

Ready to book your senior and family session? Let’s make it happen!

Looking for more inspiration? Check out our previous blog: Professional Senior Portraits: A Meaningful Way to Celebrate Your Kid’s Milestone to see why senior portraits are a special way to honor this milestone and how they can seamlessly lead into a full family session.

I am so fortunate to be a family portrait photographer in Laguna Beach.

That means that I not only get to capture gorgeous images of families from Orange County, but I also get an opportunity to meet lots of amazing people that choose Laguna Beach as their vacation destination. While visiting and being amazed at stunning ocean views, canyon areas and the cute downtown, lots of families get inspired to take family portraits in Laguna Beach or in one of the many gorgeous locations in Orange County.family-at-beach

The Rosenthal Family comes to the Montage every year for a family holiday. They have beautiful twin daughters that are both already enrolled in University, one at LSU (…. Geaux Tigers) and one at Chapman University. Their holiday is the perfect chance for them to reconnect. Scheduling family portraits during their holiday, creates a permanent memory that they will cherish for a lifetime.

Since they have previously taken portraits that the Montage’s Treasure Island beach, we decided to change it up and head down to Table Rock beach. From both our local clients, and our out of town clients, we often hear that I have never even visited this gorgeous beach. It was our pleasure to not only introduce the to this location, but to also get to use it as a fantastic backdrop. Blue Sky’s makeup artist and hairstylist visit all these beautiful ladies in their hotel room prior to the session, so they really got the star treatment.

Enjoy a sneak peak of a few of my favorites from the session!sisters-photographyfamily-portraitbeach-photosparents-photography-orange-countybeach-portraits-laguna-beachfamily-at-beach-ocorange-county-photographersisters-at-beach-photo-shootsunset-family-photo

Family Portrait Photographer:  I always looked forward to summer as a kid, to frolic and play with my friends, enjoy the longer days, take a dip in the ocean and to play in the waves.  I grew up in Newport Beach and never dreamed as a kid that I would grow up to be a Newport Beach family photographer.  Now each year, Summer is a reminder of childhood and the spirit of living in the moment.  Here are a few of my favorites things during the long Summer days:

Favorite Summer Place:  Crystal Cove Beach

Favorite Summer Beverage: Sparking water with a splash of Trader Joe’s Limaide

Favorite Summer Reading: Anything by Amy Harmon

Favorite Summer Movie: Dirty Dancing

Favorite Summer Song: Will Smith, Summertime

 

Summer is also an amazing time to book an Orange County Family Photography session.  Here are some great ideas for props, etc. to incorporate into your session to make it unique to your family:

 

  • Red Wagons
  • Popsicles
  • Small US Flags
  • Beach Pails
  • Bubbles
  • Sprinklers
  • Tent on the Beach
  • Balloons
  • Sparkler

 

Let me know a few of your favorites things in the comment section!  If you are interested in booking a Christmas in July Session, please click here: Book a Session.

summer photography orange county

summer photos, girlsummer photography orange county, beach