Grandparents Day came and went this past Sunday, and I’ll be honest, it stirred something in my heart that I haven’t been able to shake. As a family photographer here in Tuscaloosa, I spend a lot of time talking with moms about the photos they want.

But this week I kept thinking about the one photo so many of us don’t have. It’s the reason I believe so deeply in multigenerational family photos, and it’s personal for me.

The Photo I Don’t Have

I lost my grandfather last year. We called him Pop, and he was one of my favorite people in the whole world.

My kids did get to meet him. They sat on his lap and heard his voice. But they were so little, and I know they won’t remember it. So now, when they ask about Pop, photos are how I show them who he was. What he looked like. The way he smiled. I treasure every single picture I have of him.

But there’s one photo I wish with my whole heart that I had: Pop with my kids.

This is the only photo I have of Pop with my son

I don’t have it. And I can’t go back and take it.

Sometimes photos become the only memories you have of someone. That’s not meant to scare you. It’s just the truth that I learned the hard way, and it’s why I’m writing this.

Hundreds of Photos, and Almost None With Grandma or Grandpa

If you’re like most moms I know, your phone is full. First steps, messy birthday cakes, toddler meltdowns in the Target parking lot. You’re capturing so much, and that’s a beautiful thing.

But scroll back and look for the photos with Grandma and Grandpa in them. Not the ones where they’re holding the camera. The ones where they’re actually in the frame with their grand-babies.

For a lot of families, there are only a handful. Sometimes none that feel worth printing. Somebody’s always the one taking the picture, and very often, it’s the grandparents who quietly step aside.

After losing Pop, I made sure I didn’t let that happen again. Last Christmas, I gathered my grandmother with all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren for a photo. It wasn’t about perfection. It was about making sure that moment existed, for her and for all of us who will look back on it someday.

My Granny with 7 of her 14 great-grandchildren

Why Multigenerational Family Photos Matter

A multigenerational family photo session isn’t just a nice extra. It’s a way of saying, this is where we come from.

These are the images that show your children the hands that held you. They tell a story that phone snapshots can’t quite hold on to: three or four generations, together, in one season of life. And one day, your kids and their kids will want to know what their great-grandparents looked like, how they held each other, and how much they were loved.

That’s legacy. And it’s worth preserving on purpose.

When Grandma Says, “Oh, Just Take the Kids”

If you’ve ever tried to get your parents or grandparents in front of a camera, you’ve probably heard it. “I’m not photogenic.” “I don’t need to be in it.” “Just get the grandkids.”

I understand that feeling. So many of us are hard on ourselves when it comes to photos. But here’s what I gently remind grandparents:

These photos aren’t about whether you’re photogenic. They’re about your legacy.

Someday, your grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and the generations after them, will want to see your face. They’ll want to know who you were. You are a part of their history, and these photos are how that history gets passed down.

If you’re a mom trying to convince your own parents, feel free to borrow those words. Sometimes hearing it framed that way is all it takes.

How I Keep Multigenerational Sessions Relaxed for Every Age

Photographing toddlers and grandparents in the same session might sound like a lot. I promise, it doesn’t have to be stressful. Here’s how I keep things calm and easy for everyone:

Grandparents come first, in comfort.

Before anything else, I make sure your parents or grandparents are comfortable. I want them feeling settled and at ease, not rushed or worried about how they look.

We start with the littles.

I like to begin with grandparents and the youngest grandkids together. That way the kids can get their photos done while they still have their patience, and then they’re free to go play. (Trust me, everyone breathes easier this way.)

Yes, we’ll get the classic.

I’ll always capture a traditional photo of everyone looking at the camera. That’s the one that often ends up on Grandma’s mantel.

Then, my favorite part.

Once the posed photo is done, I love to document the real, in-between moments. Grandpa tickling a toddler. A grandbaby whispering something in Grandma’s ear. Little hands in big, weathered ones. These are the images that make you feel something every time you see them.

No one has to be perfect. If a toddler wanders off or someone needs a break, that’s okay. We’ll roll with it together.

These Belong on Your Wall, Not Just Your Phone

Here’s the thing about photos that only live on your phone: they’re easy to lose, and they’re rarely seen.

Multigenerational family photos deserve to be printed. They deserve a place on your wall, in an album your kids can flip through, and in the homes of the people who matter most.

And with Christmas coming up, they make one of the most meaningful gifts you can give. Think about it:

• A professionally printed, framed portrait of Grandma and Grandpa with all the grandkids
• An heirloom album your parents can pull out and share for years to come
• A wall collage of framed prints that tells your family’s story in one glance

These are the gifts that get cried over (the good kind of tears). They’re the gifts that last long after the wrapping paper is gone.

Let’s Make Sure You Have This Photo

Grandparents Day reminded me of something I never want another mom to learn the hard way: the time to take this photo is now, while everyone is here to be in it.

If you’re in Tuscaloosa, Northport, or anywhere in West Alabama and you’ve been meaning to get your whole family together, I’d love to help. We’ll keep it relaxed, we’ll take care of Grandma and Grandpa, and you’ll walk away with images you’ll treasure for generations.

Reach out here to plan your multigenerational family session and ask me about gift prints and albums in time for Christmas.

Photography isn’t meant to be stressful. It’s a way of pressing pause on what matters most.

Come introduce yourself and follow along on Instagram or Facebook! I’d love to connect you with you!