If the last few years have taught us anything, it’s the importance of family and time together. I still fondly remember baking heart-shaped cakes with my grandmother, playing in their backyard, and taking walks to the park with my grandfather. These memories are precious, and I wish I had photos of these moments. Often, we take photos of milestones, birthdays, and holidays, but what about everyday moments and special activities that make grandparent visits so special? These times matter more than we realize until they’re gone.

I lost my mom suddenly a few years ago, and I would give anything to have more photos of her with my kids. One of my favorite memories is of my mom and my son having a spray battle with the hose. It’s a photo that means the most to me because of the joy and connection it captures. Had I not taken that photo, it might have been forgotten in the fog of parenting a 4-year-old and a baby. Now, I encourage families to include grandparents in family, newborn, and maternity sessions whenever possible.

Capture Natural Moments

Grandparents often love posed shots of everyone looking at the camera, but I want families to remember the routines, passions and hobbies passed on, and little moments of love and joy. To accomplish this, I send out a detailed questionnaire before sessions and chat by phone to discuss what’s important and plan special activities. Cooking together is a great way to spend quality time and create lasting memories. When the family below reached out to book their session, they shared the grandmother’s passion for making homemade dumplings, so we made it happen.

Make Memories

The memories made will be treasures that will last a lifetime. Documenting grandparents in photos (and great-grandparents) through extended family sessions will make it easier to hold onto the memories, you’ll have print gifts to share that grandparents always love, and your future self will thank you.