If you’re like most families, you probably have hundreds of photos on your phone…
and maybe one or two framed on your walls.

So here’s the real question we hear all the time in our studio:

“How often should we actually update our family photos?”

The short answer?
👉 More often than you think.

The long answer (the one that actually matters)?
Let’s talk about why.

Why Family Photos Matter More Over Time

Family photos aren’t just about how you look.
They’re about who you were in that season of life.

Kids don’t just grow taller.
They change personalities.
Parents change too.

And one day, those tiny details you barely notice now will be the things you wish you remembered most.

That’s why updating family photos isn’t a luxury.
It’s a way of documenting your family’s story as it unfolds.

The Ideal Timeline: How Often to Update Family Photos

📅 Every 12–18 months (the sweet spot)

For most families, we recommend updating professional family photos every year or year and a half.

Why this works:

• Kids change fast (especially under age 10)
• You avoid giant gaps in your family history
• Photos feel current, not “from years ago”

If your kids are toddlers or in early school years, every year is ideal.

When You Should Absolutely Book a New Session

There are certain moments when updating your family photos is especially important:

• Welcoming a new baby
• Kids starting school
• A child losing their baby teeth (yes, really)
• Big milestones (birthdays, anniversaries)
• A major family change or transition
• You realize your walls don’t reflect your life anymore

If you’ve ever looked at a framed photo and thought,
“Wow… that feels like a different life” —
it’s probably time.

“But We Just Did Photos a Few Years Ago…”

We hear this all the time.

Here’s the thing:
Family photos aren’t meant to replace each other.
They’re meant to build a visual timeline.

Think of them like chapters, not updates.

Each session captures:

• A different age
• A different dynamic
• A different version of you

When families come back year after year, their albums become something priceless —
a visual legacy their children will grow up with.

Digital Files vs. Printed Family Photos

This is where most families get stuck.

Phones get upgraded.
Hard drives fail.
Clouds get forgotten.

But printed photos live on your walls, in albums, and in your home — where life actually happens.

Updating family photos regularly means:

• Your home reflects now, not five years ago
• Your kids see themselves loved and valued
• Memories become part of everyday life, not buried in folders

How Often Do Most Families Regret Not Doing Photos?

Honestly?
Almost all of them.

We’ve never heard a family say:

“I wish we took fewer photos together.”

But we constantly hear:

“I can’t believe how much they’ve changed.”
“I wish we had done this sooner.”
“I wish we had more from that time.”

Time moves fast.
Photos help you slow it down — just a little.

So… How Often Should You Update Family Photos?

Here’s the simple answer:

• Every year if you have young kids
• Every 12–18 months for most families
• Whenever your life changes in a meaningful way

There’s no “perfect” schedule, only missed opportunities and captured moments.

Thinking About Updating Your Family Photos?

If you’re reading this and realizing it’s been a while, that’s your sign.

Family photos aren’t about perfection.
They’re about connection, presence, and remembering this season, exactly as it is.

Because one day, this will be the version you miss most 🤍

👉 Ready to Plan Your Next Family Session?

If you’re considering updating your family photos, we’d love to help you create something timeless, natural, and meaningful images that grow with your family, not just sit on a screen.

Book Your Family Photo Session / Contact Us

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