Maine Newborn Photographer // Why Is Photography So Important

It’s no mystery that I feel that photography is extremely important. After all it's how I decided to make a living, but it’s more than that to me. I mean there are many contributing factors as to why I think this way, but the most important influence is the fact that I am adopted. I was a baby when I was placed with my adoptive family, so I don’t have any birth or newborn pictures of myself. I also have just a few pictures of myself when I was a kid. Regardless, I have nothing to show my boys from when I was young. No pictures to compare to theirs when we talk about who they look more like, me or my husband. As a result, I take a lot of pictures of my boys. I mean, A LOT! Their therapist will hear about my unrelenting picture taking some day! Apparently, I’m trying to compensate for my lack of pictures by forcing my kids on the other side of the lens more than they would ever wish to be!

We can all agree that people change fast. Many of the newborns that I shoot already look different at the Reveal Appointment. Literally 2 weeks later, and they look like a different baby! Little ones only stay little for so long. You will never look like you did last year. That may be a good or bad thing, but its still important to remember and document! I take pictures of the boys all year round, but right before school starts, while their hair is fresh from the barber shop, I force them to take pictures. And, yes, force is the correct word here. For some reason they dread these pictures. They suffer from PCB or “Photographer’s Child Burnout”. It’s a real thing, I swear. You can’t tell by these pictures, but there are some definate death stares going on inbetween each picture. But they get through it year after year and, as you can see, you can really tell how much they have grown. You can also see that my little guy went through a mohawk phase from ages 4-6. And, as much as I hate having my picture taken, I make sure that I typically jump in a few from time to time! Because, unfortunately for me, I am also changing! (Probably not for the better!)

Unfortunately, death is another time that the need for pictures comes up. Anyone who has had someone special to them pass away knows that pictures are the way that we use to remember a loved one. I don’t have many pictures of my brother or grandparents, but I was fortunate enough to have taken some studio pictures of my dad before he got sick. I am incredibly grateful for that. Photography is truly a part of one’s legacy to be handed down generation to generation.

Everyone has different reasons behind why they get their pictures taken. Regardless, it's important to document who your are and the people that you love and celebrate that moment in your life!