In the field of early professional photography, the real essence of family photography was overlooked. Back then, photographers don't know how to motivate their family subjects during portrait sessions, while the family on the other hand does not feel any desire to participate. If you would notice, family photos from centuries ago were commonly rigid images where the subjects are strapped into their chairs so as not to make unnecessary movements, while being captured with large format cameras and slow film under limited lighting. The resulting photos are too formal and stiff, that they lack emotional value and appeal.

It should be regarded that just like family storytelling, photos depict relationships among family members, but this is not well represent in past family photography. However, with the changing landscape of technology, photographing behaviors have also changed. Because more and more people are now own cameras and are becoming adept to its technicalities, the process of photography has become less intimidating, which in turn permit changes in the emotional content of family photos. Meaning, family members are now accustomed to posing at their own liberty during photo shoots.

Modern family photography has greatly deviated from the stiff and formal photos of yesteryears that were confined within the pale colored studios. Today, more and more circles of family are choosing to have their portrait shot at a location that holds special meaning to them. The photo shoot could take place inside their bedroom, their favorite vacation place, or together with their pets or prized possessions, which clearly manifest their love for family bonding time. Nonetheless, while subjects of early photos were often posed and required to look straight at the camera, modern snapshots permit the family to engage in an ongoing activity, not necessarily staring at the camera.

There are three key reasons why many parents commission family portraiture: pride, documentation of family growth and of course as means of remembrance""to remember not only the faces but also the laughter and encapsulation of fun and memorable moments. Photographing children, for instance, has become a trend for parents as capturing their little angel's actuation during his or her early years is a priceless memory of a time that can never be repeated in any manner, shape or form. The portraits of children in the family are more than just historical documentations of their growth, but they also become universal commemorative pieces that encompass the kids' innocence that will be gone once they grow up.

The same perspective is also applicable with teen photos often commissioned during high school graduation, which is a key changing time for the whole family since it is a commemoration of a child's academic accomplishments and maturity, and at the same time the realization for parents how they are about to let go of their children to explore other parts of themselves without their guidance. From that point on, family gatherings become less frequent, so the time spent together during family occasions become more special. Regardless if it is during a wedding, parent's anniversary or christening of grandchild, the fact that the family is gathered once again is a reason enough to capture every sweet moment from such events. Family portraits frame freeze important parts of our lives that often remind us why we work, love and live.

Currently, family portraiture, whether they are teen photos, children photos or parent photos, is more than just a reminder of our aesthetic appeal during a certain period in our lives. It is a means to capture the heart and sole of the family. The subjects could either look directly at the camera and be able to project his or her emotions, or engage on an ongoing activity without looking at the camera but emphasize emotion through actions. By all means, family photos are resonant of how the a certain family perceives the world.

Family photography has never been given much attention during the past. However, as more and more parents realize the real value of family photos; family portraiture has evolved into a fundamental concept that captures the heart and soul of the family. Photographing children is one good way to document the growth of one's child, while teen photos commemorate the happy memories of those times when one enjoys the comfort of his or her family.