The Gift that Keeps on Giving
A few months passed between our first contact to the actual photo session. Because, although the mum so craved those loving family photos, she had doubts – about the whole process, her looks, how her son would ‘behave’ and how her husband would feel about it.
Many obstacles I hear again and again from families. If you can relate, read this transformative story of an expat family in Zurich.
Meeting the family and building trust
When I first met this wonderful family, I could sense their tenderness, love, and connection walking into their home.
The mum welcomed me warmly, sharing her hopes and dreams for capturing memories that felt authentic to their everyday life. Like any other family, this family deserved more than just photos. They deserved a collection of memories that they could hold in their hands forever.
During our consultation, we spent time chatting and laughing. The kids showed me their favourite toys, while mum and dad flipped through the sample albums I had brought along. The parents had so many questions, and I loved answering every single one.
I strongly believe in giving families a tactile experience right from the start. It’s important to touch and feel the albums to understand what their memories will look and feel like once printed.
I could see excitement growing as they realised this experience would be tailored entirely for them.
Turning Hesitation into Confidence
When the day of the photoshoot arrived, the kids already knew me and we had a great time spending the first half hour inside their home, playing, reading books, and having cuddles with mum and dad.
But then, when we then went outside, the boy started to have some reservations and didn’t want to be photographed any longer. “He typically despises having his photo taken,” the mum admitted to me, while getting upset and stressed.
I gently suggested that we give him space to express himself, comforting her that there was no need to bribe or rush him. I reassured her that this was completely normal and something I’ve worked with many times before. “Kati kept me calm and reminded me to trust the process,” she shared, “and she was right.
For me, the most important task for every family photo session is to create a calm and natural atmosphere. There is no need to force smiles or pose awkwardly. Instead, I encourage families to simply be. To tell jokes, hold hands, and share the tiny, quiet moments that show their love.
These seemingly small moments created magic. Mum later said, “It makes me want to cry writing this, but Kati captured such beautiful moments with my son, and he looked so relaxed and natural. I’m so grateful we now have an album full of precious photos of him and our family.” She even mentioned how seeing herself in the photos with her kids was something she didn’t realise she was missing all along.
When I later delivered their album, the joy and gratitude felt were indescribable. The kids were hugging me and sharing jokes; it was truly a full-circle moment.
A Heartfelt Message That Touched My Soul
A few weeks after I had delivered the family’s album, I received a message from the mum that I’ll never forget. Her voice was filled with emotion as she shared that she had found her son sitting quietly on the sofa, leafing through their family album with the delicate white gloves on. His small fingers traced the pages as though they held the most precious treasure.
She described how seeing him so proud and engaged filled her with joy. For a boy who once hesitated and avoided the camera, this was a transformation that brought her to tears of gratitude. “This album isn’t just photos,” she said. “It’s part of our family story. We’d moved to Switzerland 4 years ago and don’t have an album of our old home and life in NY. All those images and videos are on my phone or computer, so my kids don’t have the opportunity to sit and flip through them like they do with our new album.”
The Gift That Keeps on Giving
Months after our session, the mum reached out to me once more with an update that melted my heart. The family had been on a skiing holiday, and her son, who once resisted having his photo taken, was now completely comfortable posing for pictures with their friends. She told me, “Seeing him willingly step in to be part of those photos was a moment of pure joy. It’s truly the gift that keeps on giving.”
This was such a beautiful example of how these experiences can leave lasting impacts that go far beyond a single photoshoot. It wasn’t just about getting beautiful photos that day; it was about creating trust, instilling confidence, and making photography a positive and meaningful experience for the entire family: spending quality time with the family while creating priceless memories of a lifetime.
That’s why providing printed products to my clients is part of the experience, because viewing your family photos on a phone screen is nothing like leafing through a beautiful printed album on a weekend.
An Experience, Not Just a Photoshoot
“At first, I wondered if the investment was worth it, but now I see it was more than just a purchase; it was an investment in preserving our family’s fleeting moments,” she told me, adding, “My husband, who’s usually indifferent about family photos, is even more proud of the album than I am!”
From the laughter during the session to the joy of seeing their son’s confidence grow, this family’s experience was one of connection, growth, and preservation. For me, delivering their album and seeing how it had already become a part of their daily life filled my heart.
It’s not just about photos; it’s about the way these memories will ripple through their lives for years to come. If you’ve been wondering about capturing genuine, heartfelt memories with your family, I’d love to help you tell your story. Together, we can create something that will not just sit on a phone or computer but something real, tangible, and meant to be cherished.
Transforming your fleeting moments into forever memories is a decision you’ll cherish for life.
