Anonymous wrote:Once a year. So I can guarantee that I'm in at least one good picture a year. DH cannot take a decent picture to save his life.

Lol me too. So far every other year but it once a year is fine. We use some one who takes lifestyle/less posed photos

Twice, but usually on a whim, like if a photographer is offering garden minis or whatever I’ll jump on it.

I’m very picky and love good family photos taken by a talented photographer, not just a mom with a camera looking to make some money.

I display the photos all over our house. I love them.

Once a year. So I can guarantee that I'm in at least one good picture a year. DH cannot take a decent picture to save his life.

Mini shoots:
-every (incl extended)family vacation 2X/year

Professional Photos with Immediate Family 2X a year

We do a 20 minute mini-shoot every 2 years or so. Yearly feels like too much. But I do occasionally want some nice family photos. I got some amazing pictures of my kids this year and 20 minutes is the best length, right when they get antsy it’s over! Mine kids are 5 and 7.

Once a year. It’s our favorite. I see others at least on social media that do it at least 5 times a year. Or when they are out at places.

Never done it. I prefer candid shots taken during vacation, the back yard or first day of school.
Kids are 17 and 19. I don't think like the posed picture look of professional photos.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would rather see an informal real shot then a posed thing with a backdrop.

+1. No kidding. There is nothing worse than the multitude of family photos in which mom obviously believes the family is auditioning for the cover of Pottery Barn catalog.

+1. We fall into the never camp. I think we had professional photos done about 12 years ago when my oldest was a baby. Since then - and with subsequent children - we haven't bothered. To be honest, iPhone photo technology has far surpassed anything that I've ever needed. I get great portraits of the kids for Xmas cards and what have you using my phone. They look great and I can edit using an app, if needed. As stated above, I'm not a fan of posed, professional family photos. I like candid shots that look more natural. There seems to be a split in preferences from these responses.

Even if I did like professional photography, I cannot imagine getting it done yearly. What do you do with all those photos? Wouldn't every few years be better?

Literally never. They're all still thriving despite this.

Anonymous wrote:I would rather see an informal real shot then a posed thing with a backdrop.

+1. No kidding. There is nothing worse than the multitude of family photos in which mom obviously believes the family is auditioning for the cover of Pottery Barn catalog.

Once yearly is not excessive. More than twice a year? Yes, I would likely think that's excessive.
When you have young children and family changes (pregnancy, adoption, new pet...) it's fun to get it recorded, framed, and ahared!

I was never into this until our 2nd child was born. Then I realized how nice it was to have professional quality photos to frame and preserve. Once I got pregnant again, during Covid, I did a maternity/Mother's Day photoshoot. Out of my 3 pregnancies, this last time was the only time I invested in that, and I'm so glad. Knowing it was likely the last time I'd be pregnant made it feel like a fleeting moment we should capture.
It also gave me something to look forward to and dress up for during the pandemic. Got my hair done, got my nails done, wore a pretty maternity dress... When everything else was canceled it was a nice reason to pamper myself

Once a year then we use one or two images for our holiday card and send others to family as framed prints. Our preferred Photographer is inexpensive so it costs under $200 including digital files.

We only had them done once when my child was about 10 months old. Now my child is 6. I don't have money and time for this stuff.

Every few years. We dress casually and have them done outside. I like our vacation candids and what not, but if you ever plan on displaying any of them the quality is much better if you have a professional do it.

Anonymous wrote:It’s a huge expense and not something I spend lightly - $400 on a one hour photo session is more than my mom spent on groceries for a family of 6 for an entire month when I was growing up! But I really really value the photos. In particular, I value being able to be in them myself. I’m the photographer in my family 364 days a year (like many moms) and even when my husband tried to take photos in return, they aren’t great, haha. So for me, it’s worth it. I also like supporting our wonderful photographer as a small business owner.

+ 1. We do it once a year and put some of the pics on our holiday cards.