Why Annual Childhood Portraits Actually Matter

With my mom hat on, I’ll unashamedly tell you this: you can never have too many pictures of your kids. In fact, I’d argue till I’m blue in the face that you’ll never have enough…but I’m the mom who can’t resist snapping photos of my kiddos eating — because apparently the way they lick their cheek clean is the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. (I digress…)

But here’s the truth: as a professional photographer, I know there’s a difference between the everyday snaps that live on our phones and the kind of portraits that actually preserve a child’s story. That’s where annual childhood portraits matter most.

As moms, we know how quickly these years go.

One day you’re cradling a newborn who fits perfectly against your chest, and the next you’re packing school lunches, buying soccer cleats, or marveling at how grown-up your “baby” suddenly looks… and that’s just before breakfast. Childhood has a way of slipping through our fingers, which is why annual childhood portraits are more than just a nice-to-have—they’re a way of preserving the story of your child’s memory, growth, and milestones in a tangible, lasting way.

They Are a Visual Timeline of Growth

Sure, you see your kids every single day, but when you look back at photographs from just a year ago, the difference can be striking. That gap-toothed smile, the way their curls framed their face, or how tiny all their little features were—these are details we forget until we see them captured again.

Annual portraits create a visual timeline of your child’s growth. Instead of relying only on your phone’s endless photo stream, children’s portrait photography gives you a curated, intentional record that documents not just how your child looked, but also who they were in that season of life.

Celebrating Milestones, Big and Small

Milestones aren’t just first steps and first birthdays. They’re the little in-betweens—the first time they read a book by themselves, the season when they refused to wear anything but lucky charm pajamas, or when they proudly lost that first tooth.

Professional portraits highlight those fleeting milestones in a way that feels worthy of the moment. A photo becomes more than an image—it becomes proof of their bravery, silliness, quirks, and personality.

Memories You Can Hold

Think about your own childhood. Do you remember certain birthdays, holidays, or family moments more clearly because of the photographs attached to them? That’s the power of printed memories. They anchor us.

When you invest in annual childhood portraits, you’re giving your child a gift that will matter years from now. One day, they’ll hold those albums or framed portraits and see the love and intention you put into preserving their story. They’ll see not just their own face, but also the care you took in capturing their childhood year after year.

NOT your Camera Roll

While phone snaps are wonderful for everyday life, professional children’s portrait photography offers something different: timeless, high-quality portraits that aren’t buried in a digital folder or lost on an old phone. As a mom myself, I know how quickly childhood changes—the way their smile looks with a missing tooth, how their hair falls into their eyes, the expressions that are uniquely them in this season. My own longing to hold onto those fleeting details shapes the way I photograph yours. These portraits are meant to be seen, displayed, and cherished—whether in an album, a frame on the wall, or as part of a collection you build over time.

One day, your child will no longer be “little.”

The sticky fingers, missing teeth, and too-big sneakers will all be memories. Annual portraits make sure those memories are not just remembered, but beautifully preserved.

Because in the end, they’re only this little once… and that’s worth documenting.

👉 Thinking about starting a tradition of annual portraits? Twice a year (once in the spring and once in the fall) I set aside a month specifically for these sessions. Short and sweet, designed only for children, they’re a beautiful way to preserve your child’s milestones through timeless, emotive images. View the Newborn,Baby & Childhood Portfolio — or get in touch to reserve a spot for your little one!