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In the early periods of professional photography the underlying emotional and social values of family photography were often neglected. 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 improvements in technology, changes in photographing behaviors have also become apparent. 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. In short, family members become accustomed to being photographed.

Modern family photography has strayed from the stiff and formal effects of past photos that were often shoot inside boring studios. Nowadays, more and more family groups are inclined to having their photos taken at locations that have special meanings 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. On a similar note, while the subjects of past photography were often compelled to maintain stiff poses while directly looking at the camera, modern photo shoots permit the members of the family to engage in ongoing activities without the need to look at the camera in order to make the shot more realistic.

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. Children photos are more than just historical records of their growth, they are also universal truths that speak of their innocence that would be lost once they are exposed to the outside world.

The same thing goes with teen photos often commissioned during high school graduations, which is an essential changing time for the whole family as graduation is the time when parents often feel proud about their kids' accomplishments and maturity, and on the other hand also represent the parents realization of how fast their children have grown. From that point on, family gatherings become less frequent, so the time spent together during family occasions become more special. Regardless if the occasion is a wedding, anniversary or christening, the fact that the family is whole again is already enough reason to capture the moments that may not happen again for a long period. Family portraits frame freeze important parts of our lives that often remind us why we work, love and live.

Today, family portraiture, regardless if they are teen photos, children photos or parent photos, is more than just capturing the aesthetics of each family member. It is all about encapsulating the heart and soul of the subject family. The subjects must be able to look directly at the camera and speak volumes of their emotions through their eyes, or never look at the camera and speak volumes about themselves through their actions. Fundamentally, family photos should be able to fully represent how a family perceives the world.