What Are the Benefits of Photographing Children?
Taking photographs of your children at different phases of their lives, from birth to graduation, provides you with a treasure trove of happy memories. Even though most children do not recognize the importance of being snapped when they are young, they will appreciate the photographs when they are older. Photographs of children are valuable family momentos. They also document the growth and development of children during those all-important early years.
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Recording
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Photographs of children serve as pointers to their development and growth. Photographs can record all those "firsts" in a child's life, such as his first attempts at walking and his first day at school. Taking photographs regularly produces a visual record of physical growth and changes. For instance, the family photographer can show the changes from baby to toddler with a camera. Each successive Christmas or birthday party shows the changes in a child, including height and the maturing of facial features.
Memories
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As we grow older our memories tend to get worse. Photographs of children can capture those memories and remind us of different events in our lives. For example, a photograph of children on vacation will remind us of the feelings associated with that event, whether this is joy or disappointment. Photographs will take us back to that precise moment in a child's life and provide a prompt to our own lives at that time. Photographs are usually very precious to parents and grandparents as they keep the children "alive," even after they have left home or moved away.
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Curiosity Value
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Having lots of photographs of your children will satisfy your grandchildren's curiosity about their own parents. It is fun for the grandchildren to see if they look like their parents when they were young and to compare physical characteristics, such as facial features and height. Grandchildren are usually curious about their parents' homes, friends, schools and holidays. Photographs provide a historical context and a discussion point for changes in lifestyle and habits.
Self-Identity
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Children obtain a sense of self-identity through old photographs. They can place themselves in a certain time, in a certain place, with their family and friends. A photograph can also help some children, such as refugees, make sense of their surroundings. Relevant photographs give vulnerable children immediate feedback on their lives and help them put their experiences in context.
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References
Resources
- "Photographing Children"; Ginny Felch et al.; 2008
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
