It's the moments we remember...
Life is comprised of little moments that come together to create events. We remember things in snapshots that we piece together to tell a story. The portrait creates a physical connection to these memories. Whether we want to admit it or not our families and children are always changing. We can never get these moments back, no matter how hard we try.
Portraits are moments of our history, memories that we can tie to visual art. Our portraits become some of the most precious things we own.
We also cannot replace opportunity. Each moment of your child's life comes and goes. Unless we make it a priority, the business of life prevents us from photographing our families as often as we should. Your child will never look the same as she does today. The roly-poly baby will soon grow up and trade the cooing sounds of infanthood for lost teeth and scraped knees, and in the blink of an eye she will be driving away. We will look back and many moments will be gone.
There are vital times and ages that we should have our portraits created. To create a visual history Jlmpress Photography recommends the following schedule:
Maternity
We recommend starting with maternity portraits. Pregnancy is surrounded by beauty. Our faces glow and there is a joy and anticipation in our expression that is different from any other time in our lives. It is surprising but true: we soon miss our pregnant bellies. We miss the quickening. Have your first portrait of your child created before she even arrives, so that you can remember all the feelings of excitement and anticipation. Then when your child is older relive those moments with her.
Newborn
Your child's next portrait should come soon after arrival. Infants change every day. We recommend newborn portraits within the first two to three weeks after birth. You newborn is tiny, and when asleep she is entirely peaceful and relaxed. Very soon she will be holding up her head and rolling over. Capture this extraordinary moment in time. Between feeding and sleepless nights, it is easy to miss this shortest moment in your baby's life.
Infants
To document those ever changing features and milestones in our babies we recommend taking baby portraits at 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, and 12 months. One of these sessions is a great opportunity to take family portraits as well. Whether we create an album celebrating these moments or your prefer large portraits on your walls, creating an anthology of your babies first year will bring you joy for the rest of your life.
Toddlers
After the first year, have your child's portrait taken at 18 months, 2 years, and 3 years. These are wonderful times. Children this age are expressive and usually don't mind the camera.
Children
Your child is going to start school, and many changes are just right around the corner. Portraits at age 5, 7, and 9 are recommended to create a history of this season of your child's life. At one of theses sessions have a portrait of the entire family created.
Early Teens
That baby is beginning to really let go now. Pre-teens are establishing their independence and identity. This is a great time to do an Expressions Portrait Session. We recommend having a session at least twice between 10 and 14. One of these sessions should include family portraits.
Young Adults
Your time with your child is almost gone. He is preparing for life as an adult. Whether he has figured out who he will be, or is still trying to sort it out, you should never forget who he is right now. Portraits at 16 and Senior portraits are highly recommended.