How I document family moments

And what I do with my photos so they don't just live on my phone

Last year, I shared a post all about my favorite ways to document my family. One of my favorite traditions is to create an annual photo album with Artifact Uprising. Universes collided when we connected to bring today’s letter to you <3

I’d like to continue the discussion from that post by diving deeper into my thoughts on what makes a moment worth holding onto, as well as my photo album recipe for translating these moments into something tangible.

What makes a moment worth holding onto?

I’ve been helping with a family history project, which means going through lots of old photos. As I was flipping through old slides from the early 1900s I came to a realization: while all of the images of old buildings and landscapes were falling flat, what held my attention were the people. I loved the candid picture of a mom with her active toddler, relating to the look in her eyes of equal parts exhaustion and love. I loved the gaggle of youth in a gymnasium, dressed in formal dresses and suits, with paper streamers hung across the wall and a fold-out refreshments table in the back. I felt connected to those people and their experience.

I think the core of what makes a moment worth holding onto is when it creates connection to the people we love.

That connection can come in many forms. It can come from the routine of everyday life, from milestones we mark together, and from adventures exploring something new. As I’m creating our annual photo album I like to pull from all three.

The routine.

These are the most underrated moments to document, even if they feel… not so exciting when you’re actually in the moment ;)

We get so used to our day-to-day routines that we forget to see how special they can be to look back on. A meal on the back porch, your favorite walk, a selfie in your bathroom mirror, a bath before bedtime - these are all small moments, but moments worth celebrating. They make up most of our life as it really is.

I’ve learned that life also changes faster than we think and what we see as normal today may be something we look back on fondly with nostalgia for that stage in our lives.

The milestones.

These were the first things that came to mind when I thought of moments I want to hold onto — birthdays, first-days-of-school, graduations, piano recitals, etc. These moments represent growth and progress and are noteworthy!

Growing up, my dad would take a picture of each of us siblings on the first day of school (backpack and all!) every year in front of the same tree. It’s fun to look back at the compilation of those images and see the changes year by year.

The adventures.

Some of my favorite memories come from intentionally breaking the routine and going on an adventure. This can be as simple as going on a new hike nearby, or as grand as traveling across the world. You’re discovering something for the first time together, and are often more present and connected as a result.

There’s a trip David and I took early in our marriage, before we’d gotten into photography, that I can only remember in pieces. Contrast that with the trips we’ve taken since getting into photography, and my memory feels razor-sharp. I remember what I was wearing, what we did each day, where we explored, and how I felt. Aside from a stamp in my passport, it almost feels as if that initial trip didn’t happen.

My photo album recipe

My favorite way to translate these moments into something tangible is through physical photo albums. I have a growing stack of them in my living room that we often flip through together.

Artifact Uprising’s hardcover photo book is my go-to for our annual albums. Here are the exact specs:

Book size: 8.25x11

Matte paper

120 pages (I always max out on pages— love a thick book!)

Why I document family moments

I’ve started to see photography as a form of gratitude. Pulling out my camera helps me notice and honor all the life that is happening in front of me. Otherwise it can pass by in a blur. Taking a picture is my way of saying this is a detail or a moment or a feeling I appreciate, a memory that is worth keeping.

The moments that we choose to hold onto also shape our family identity. Documenting them reinforces who we are and what we value - we’re a family that tries new things, we’re a family that is always outside, we’re a family that supports each other, etc.

I love having something tangible that my kids can pick up and flip through to see how our family has lived those values.

As always, thanks for reading! And thank you Artifact Uprising for sponsoring today’s letter.

Xx,

Sara