Why is it important to have a family wall portrait?

People ask us why it is so important to have a family wall portrait. So we will try to help answer that question with a few of our favourite reasons.

What’s not to love?

Who doesn’t love a family photograph? They’re a wonderful way of documenting events that happen in our lives, seeing our family grow up, and evoking fond memories of past events. A professional photography session can also be a wonderful opportunity to get the extended family together in a rare moment that can be treasured for generations to come. Just the event itself is a fun memory.

Mental Health Benefits

One of the more unexpected effects of having family photographs in your home is the positive effect it can have on your children’s mental health.

American psychologist and author of “Phototherapy In Mental Health“, David Krauss, believes there is a strong link between having family photographs displayed on your walls and the well-being of the children in that home.

In his book, he says, “I think it is really important to show a family as a family unit. It is so helpful for children to see themselves as a valued and important part…A photographer’s job is to create and make the image look like a safe holding space for kids where they are safe and protected. Kids get it on a really simple level.”

We see the Smiles of the Children in Our Studio

As photographers ourselves we see this every day, but it’s nice to hear it from a psychological point of view. When a child first comes into our studio for a family photoshoot they are often shy and apprehensive. By the time they leave, they’re buzzing with energy and enthusiasm and often they don’t want the fun to end. We love nothing more than getting a cuddle at the end of a shoot as the child loved it so much. Sometimes we even have tears as they don’t want to leave. Heartbreaking as the crying is, it does also give us confidence that we’ve done a good job.

Is lovely to see such excitement when they return to see the images and collect their wall art. The look on their little faces as we open the box to reveal the frame is priceless.

A Reminder of Belonging

So it’s no wonder that having a family portrait on the walls at home is great for a child’s mental health. Seeing that image on the wall every day, surrounded by the people who love them the most, their parents, grandparents, and/or siblings. It’s a reminder of belonging and of being safe. It shows them how much they are loved and helps to build confidence.

Judy Weiser, a psychologist, art therapist and author based in Vancouver agrees. “It lets children learn who they are and where they fit,”. She has spent more than 20 years using PhotoTherapy. “When a child sees a family portrait with them included in the photograph they say to themselves: ‘These people have me as part of what they are, that’s why I belong here. This is where I come from.‘”

Printed Images are Better Than Digitals

With the invention of smartphones, we now take more photographs than ever. But the problem is we don’t print them off and display them. Whilst still a good memory, they are often simply snapshots, blurred or not good enough quality to print large and put into a frame.

This is where our professional photography services come in. We use a combination of skills, including great lighting, posing and backgrounds, to provide you with the perfect quality image. We produce your chosen picture to the highest quality wall art in whatever size you wish. The result is a beautiful, timeless family portrait that will be treasured forever and give your children a constant reminder that they are cherished.

Don’t just take our word for it.

Don’t just take our word for it, have a look at our testimonials from families that have experienced a shoot with Chrysalis Photography. And if you have any further concerns as to why or you simply want to book your appointment, contact us here.