Why would you want to have a portrait of yourself or your family? I never used to think this was important.  It was only when my sons when to university in the UK that I realised that we had no family photographs.  Once we had our first family portrait, we knew that we would have other photo sessions whenever we are all together - which with COVID has not been for quite a while.  As your children get older,  and have more and more commitments, you are never too sure when all the family will get together in one location,  so you need to take opportunity whenever it presents itself.

Then you have the selfie. The portrait that most of us take from time to time that serves as proof that most of us have a desire to be photographed in some shape or form. Let’s face it. We want photos of ourselves. We want to make memories and use photography as an aid to capture moments in time. Why settle for jacked up cell phone selfies? You’re worth more, your family is worth more. No matter how many pictures you have on your phone, they may never make you feel the same way as the portrait you choose to display on your wall. So with that said here are some reason why you should have some professional portraits

You will never stay the same

None of us are getting any younger. Life moves forward and we have to take what comes with it.  You live for the ‘now’ and plan for the future, but there will come a time of reflection , a time when you will want to go back and mentally relive the past. There’s a story behind every image. If you’re looking at photos you’ve taken of your family, you’ll be reminded of that specific moment and the story behind that image. What happened that morning? Where did you go? Why did you take that picture?

Having images of yourself at certain parts of your life will serve as a reminder, years from now, when it is time to have that big retrospective, of who you were throughout your many stages of life. You will never again be who you are today. Don't take it for granted.

Portraits are a legacy 

Have you ever had a beautiful portrait of yourself?  Have you ever had an incredible portrait with your children?  Do you remember that one day your children will be grown up and they will look for photographs of you and they will wonder where you are?

Portraits are your legacy and will survive once you are long gone. A portrait session will ensure that your children (and your children's children) will have a glimpse of who you once were and will be tremendously grateful for those visual keepsakes.

Portraits Evoke Emotions through Self Expression

People chose to express themselves in many ways. Wether through dance, song, or art, we all long to give the world a glimpse of our soul. Portraiture is another form of self-expression.

Have you looked at a picture from the past and instantly felt the same emotions as you did in the picture? That’s the power of a photo. The reason you feel emotions isn’t because of how aesthetically pleasing an image is but the emotions that are expressed in the photo.

Feeling somber and isolated? Craft a session that details your experience. Feeling sexy? Have a boudoir session. Feeling mysterious or confident? Book a fashion-inspired portrait shoot. Making photographs allows you the opportunity to express what is often hard to put into words.

Being photographed relates to a sense of importance

You have always put other people’s priorities ahead of yours, because you think their priorities are more important that yours.  The truth is the opposite. Why don’t you treat yourself to a special day and have photographs of you that look as if you are a magazine model. Having your portrait taken is empowering. There are plenty of opportunities:-

• Celebrating a life achievement with a stylized portrait session. Nothing like getting dressed up to boost the confidence a little. Graduation, job promotion, or just to celebrate you. Document your life’s journey.
• Lifestyle change. Whether it is weight loss or getting healthy and fit. Why not show your future-self that you did this and can do it again.
• Relive a dream. Ever have a crazy dream that you can’t get out of your head? Why not work with a portrait photographer to see that vision to reality.
• Getting out of your comfort zone. A lot of people don’t like having their photo taken. With the right photographer, it can be transformative. We can only grow by getting out of our comfort zone.

Isn’t it time for some payback? Treat yourself.

There is no reason not to treat yourself

Most people make the same excuses when the opportunity of having their portraits taken. People always say that they don't have enough time, money, or energy to have a portrait session. Sometimes they say  that they are not photogenic, have bad teeth or a crooked smile.  As the saying goes, there is always a million reasons not to do something. But the reality of it all is that you don't have a legitimate reason not to book a session. Money comes and goes, and time commitments will, if anything, only become more intense. These excuses are simply that, excuses.