“I think we just want photos of the kids. We don’t need to be in any of them.”
I used to say that, too. “Just the kids.” It felt easier to stay behind the camera. I wasn’t thrilled with how I looked, and honestly, I told myself no one needed to see me anyway.
But here’s what I’ve learned over the years: when you skip being in the frame, you’re skipping a chance to show up in your family’s story. And that’s a moment worth preserving. I’m going into all the reasons why parents should be in family photos – and there are some GOOD ones.
Hi, I’m Natasha…
…and I’m an in-home newborn and family photographer based in Washington, DC. I launched NPS Photography in 2013 after years as a teacher and stay-at-home mom—so I know firsthand how easy it is to hide behind the camera and make it all about the kids.
But in 2019, I shifted to in-home lifestyle photography because I realized something big: your presence in the frame matters just as much as theirs. The everyday moments—bedhead, sticky fingers, and all—are what make up your family’s story.
Now, I help families document the whole picture. Not just the smiling faces of your children, but the love, connection, and real-life magic you share. Even if you’re not feeling your best or think you’ll “do it next year”—I’m here to tell you this is the moment.
Because when your kids look back, they won’t wish you’d waited.
They’ll be so glad you were there.
Let’s Bust the “Just the Kids” Myth
I hear this from moms constantly:
“We don’t need to be in them.”
“I just want pictures of the kids.”
“Maybe next year, when I’ve lost the weight / had a haircut / feel better in my skin.”
But here’s why parents should be in family photos: your kids already think you’re perfect.
They don’t see your perceived flaws. They see the person who makes them feel safe, loved, and completely seen. When they look back at family photos years from now, they’re not going to wish you’d waited. They’re going to be grateful you showed up.
Because it’s not just about having a picture.
It’s about being part of the memory.
Your Photos Are a Legacy
Let’s get a little deeper for a second: these photos? They’re not just for you. They’re for your children. Your future grandchildren. Maybe even your great-grandchildren.
Think about it. Have you ever looked at an old photo of your grandmother and thought, “She really should’ve lost weight before being in this picture”?
Of course not.
What you do think is, “She was so beautiful,” or “I can see where I get my eyes,” or “I wish I could’ve known her like this.”
This is why parents should be in family photos—because your face, your arms wrapped around your babies, your presence—it’s the part they’ll remember most.
In-Home Sessions Keep It Real (and Stress-Free)
Good news: you don’t need to deep-clean your house or dress everyone in matching outfits from head to toe to have beautiful family photos. Seriously—leave the laundry basket in the corner and the toys on the floor. I’m not showing up with a white glove. I’m showing up to capture your life as it is.
In-home sessions are my specialty because they allow for something that studio or outdoor sessions often can’t: comfort. And when you’re comfortable, you’re real. You’re not trying to force smiles or wrangle kids in the car. You’re just being together—and that’s where the magic lives.
These sessions are:
- Relaxed: No rushing to beat the sunset or dealing with crowded parks.
- Flexible: Need to pause for a snack break or diaper change? No problem.
- Comfortable: Kids feel safe in their own space, and it shows in the photos.
- Authentic: Your home tells your story, and I want to help you preserve that—book piles, dog fur, snack crumbs and all.
No bribing. No stiff poses. No pressure to look “perfect.”
Just connection, comfort, and a whole lot of love captured on camera—in the place where your life actually happens.
Because this isn’t about a Pinterest-perfect version of your family. It’s about preserving what’s real—the moments you’ll miss one day, and the ones your kids will remember forever.
What to Expect in Your Session with Me
When you book with NPS Photography, we’re photographing the whole family. That includes:
- Everyone together (yes, even the dog 🐶)
- Sibling shots—candid and cuddly
- Individual photos of each child
- Mom with the kids
- Dad with the kids
- Just the two of you—because the last time you had a photo together might’ve been your wedding!
And no, it’s not all stiff poses or forced smiles. I’m here for the real stuff. The snuggles. The giggles. The way your toddler insists on holding your hand with their sticky fingers. That’s the magic.
Sure, we’ll get a “grandma-approved” photo with everyone smiling at the camera, but the heart of the session? That’s real life, beautifully captured. And this is exactly why parents should be in family photos – because your family is only a family with ALL of you!
Feeling Nervous? That’s Normal
Listen, I’ve been in front of the camera, too—and I know it can feel awkward. But I’ve also been photographing families for over a decade, and I’ll guide you every step of the way. From what to wear, to how to prep, to how to feel like yourself in the moment, I’ve got you.
Want a little preview of what working with me looks like? You can read real client experiences here.
A Quick Pep Talk for the Moms
Let me say this one more time, for the moms in the back:
You are already worthy of being in the photo.
Not “when I…”
Not “if I…”
Now.
This is why parents should be in family photos—because these days are fleeting, and your presence matters. Even in the chaos. Especially in the chaos.
Trust me, the dishes can wait. The laundry can wait. But this moment? This is the one they’ll want to remember.
Let’s Make It Happen
If this post feels like a little nudge to finally get in the frame, that’s because it is. You deserve to be seen and celebrated in your family’s story—not just behind the scenes, but right there in the middle of it. And as I said before, your family isn’t a family with out ALL of you and that’s EXACTLY why parents should be in family photos!
Ready to book? I’d love to photograph your family just as you are. Reach out here to start the conversation.
Natasha Sewell is a family and newborn photographer plus a photographer educator and mentor. She captures family’s joyful chaos in the place they are most comfortable – home. Natasha serves Washington, DC and surrounding areas and specializes in maternity, baby, and family photography.
