Finding Mom: The Heart of Every Family Photo

Family photos tell our stories. They capture the laughs, the milestones, the chaos, and the love. But when I look through photo albums—mine, my clients’, even strangers’—I notice something that keeps coming up: Where is mom? She’s usually the one taking the picture. Fixing the hair. Wiping the faces. Making sure everyone else is seen. But she’s not in the photo. And years later, that absence is felt.

I get it. We get caught up making sure everything runs smoothly. We don’t feel “photo ready.” We say, “I’ll just take the picture.” But over time, this adds up to a family photo history where the person holding everything together is missing.

And here’s the thing: it matters.It matters to your kids. It matters to you. It matters to the legacy you're building.

There’s even research to back it up—children who see both parents in family portraits tend to feel more emotionally connected and secure. That’s not about perfection; that’s about presence.

Being in a family photo doesn’t mean you’re trying to show off. It means you’re showing up. You’re saying, “I was here too. I loved you then. I’m part of this.”

Our kids won’t look back and wish we were thinner or had better hair. They’ll just be glad we were there—smiling, holding them, laughing beside them.

So next time you pull out your phone to capture the moment, pause. Hand it to someone else. Use the timer. Set up a tripod. Ask your photographer to include you.

You belong there.. You’re part of the story. .Let’s make sure you’re seen.

If it’s been a while since you’ve been in a photo with your family, let’s change that. I’d love to help you create images where everyone is included—especially you. Let’s make sure you’re in the picture—where you belong.