How Often Should You Do Family Portraits? Amazing 5 Tips
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How often should you do family portraits is one of the most common questions I hear from families in Porto and Zug. If you’re asking yourself this question, you’re not alone—and the answer depends on your family’s unique stage of life. As a family photographer who works with international families across Portugal and Switzerland, I’ve learned that the perfect portrait frequency isn’t about rigid rules. It’s about capturing the beautiful, fleeting moments that matter most to your family story.
The quick answer? Most families benefit from annual family portraits, with some choosing more frequent sessions during specific life stages. Let me walk you through everything you need to know to create your own family photography schedule.
How often should you do family portraits?
✓ Standard recommendation: Annual family portraits (every 12 months)
✓ Families with children 0-5 years: Every 6 months due to rapid growth
✓ Milestone-based approach: Birth, first birthday, school years, graduations
✓ Ideal frequency factors: Child ages, budget, family schedule, seasonal preferences
✓ Best practice: Book 2-3 months in advance for preferred dates
Why How Often You Do Family Portraits Matters
Before we dive into frequency recommendations, let’s talk about why regular family photos are worth the investment.
Your children change incredibly fast. That adorable toothless grin? Gone by next year. Those chubby baby rolls? They disappear seemingly overnight. Annual family portraits create a visual timeline of these precious changes that you simply can’t recreate later.
Photos become more valuable over time. The images you take today become treasured heirlooms tomorrow. They’re not just pictures—they’re proof of love, connection, and the everyday magic of your family life.
Extended family treasures them. For expat families living in Porto or Zug, far from grandparents and relatives, updated family photos are priceless gifts that keep everyone connected across distances.
How Often Should You Do Family Portraits? Expert Recommendations
Deciding how often you should do family portraits depends on several factors, but most families thrive with an annual photography tradition. Let’s break down the ideal family portrait frequency based on your specific situation:
Annual Family Portraits: The Gold Standard Approach
Recommendation: Once per year (every 12 months)
This is the sweet spot for most families. Annual family photo sessions capture year-over-year changes without overwhelming your schedule or budget.
Best for:
- Families with school-age children (6-18 years)
- Busy families balancing multiple activities
- Those wanting consistent holiday card photos
- Building a long-term family photo tradition
Pro tip: Choose the same season each year (like autumn in Zug or spring in Porto) to create visual consistency in your family gallery. Many of my clients book their family photography sessions in September or October for the beautiful golden light and colorful foliage around Lake Zug.
Every 6 Months: For Families with Young Children
Recommendation: Twice per year (every 6 months)
If you have babies, toddlers, or preschoolers, you’ll want to increase your family portrait frequency.
Why every 6 months?
- Babies change dramatically month-to-month
- Toddlers gain new skills rapidly (walking, talking, expressing personality)
- Preschoolers lose that “baby face” quickly between ages 2-5
Many families in Zurich and Porto book a spring session and a fall session when children are young, then transition to annual portraits once kids enter school.
Example schedule for young families:
- 6 months old: First sitting portraits
- 12 months (first birthday): Milestone session
- 18 months: Mid-year update
- 2 years: Annual family portrait
- Continue 6-month frequency until age 5
Milestone-Based Sessions: The Flexible Approach
Recommendation: As major milestones occur
Some families prefer scheduling family photo sessions around significant life events rather than calendar dates.
Popular milestone sessions:
- Pregnancy/maternity photos (around 32-36 weeks)
- Newborn sessions (within first 2 weeks)
- First birthday cake smash or portraits
- School milestones (first day of kindergarten, graduation)
- Family expansions (new baby arrivals, adoptions)
- Location changes (before/after international moves)
This approach works beautifully for families with unpredictable schedules. As someone who photographs both established families in Switzerland and newly-arrived expats in Porto, I see many clients combine annual sessions with milestone add-ons.
4 Factors That Determine Your Family Portrait Frequency
Everyone’s situation is different. Here’s what to consider when deciding how often you should schedule family portraits.
Factor #1: Your Children’s Ages and Development Stages
Ages 0-2: The most rapid change period. Consider sessions every 3-6 months.
Ages 3-5: Still changing quickly. Every 6-12 months captures personality development.
Ages 6-12: Annual portraits are typically sufficient. Growth is visible year-over-year but less dramatic.
Ages 13-18: Annual or every 18 months works well. Teenagers may appreciate less frequent formal sessions.
Adult families: Every 2-3 years, or when family composition changes (marriages, new grandchildren).
Factor #2: Your Family Lifestyle and Schedule
Be realistic about your family’s capacity.
Busy international families balancing work, travel, and multiple children may prefer one comprehensive annual session rather than multiple smaller ones.
Families with flexible schedules might enjoy more frequent mini-sessions throughout the year.
Living in Zug means you have gorgeous locations year-round. Consider whether you want to invest energy into multiple sessions or prefer one well-planned annual shoot.
Factor #3: Budget Considerations
Quality family photography is an investment. Determine what works for your family budget without sacrificing the professional results you deserve.
Budget-friendly frequency options:
- One full annual session (45 minutes, one mini-session, one location)
- Alternating full sessions and mini-sessions yearly
Many photographers, including my studio, offer packages that make regular sessions more accessible. Ask about multi-session discounts or photography memberships.
Factor #4: Seasonal Preferences and Location
Your location influences ideal timing.
In Zug and Zurich, Switzerland:
- Spring (April-May): Cherry blossoms or in-home sessions
- Summer (June-August): Lake Zug waterfront, mountain backdrops, parks, old town
- Autumn (September-October): Golden foliage, warm light
- Winter: Indoor cozy sessions, Christmas card photos
Consider booking your family photo session during your favorite season for locations you love.
How to Make the Most of Regular Family Photo Sessions
Once you’ve decided on your family portrait frequency, maximize each session:
1. Book in advance — Schedule 2-3 months ahead for prime dates, especially during popular autumn months in Zug or spring in Porto.
2. Coordinate (don’t match) outfits — Choose complementary colors rather than identical outfits for a modern, natural look. If you need more Inso check out what to wear for family portraits.
3. Choose meaningful locations — Select spots that reflect your life: favorite parks in Zurich, your Porto neighborhood, places your family actually enjoys.
4. Relax and be yourselves — The best family portraits happen when everyone is comfortable and having fun. Work with [a photographer who understands expat families] and your unique dynamics.
5. Share and print your photos — Don’t let your images sit on a hard drive. Create albums, prints, and digital galleries to share with family back home.
How often do most families get professional photos taken?
Most families schedule professional family portraits annually. Families with young children often increase to every 6 months until kids reach school age.
Is it worth getting family photos every year?
Absolutely. Annual family portraits create an irreplaceable visual timeline of your family’s growth and changing dynamics. The investment becomes more valuable as years pass.
What’s the best age to start regular family portraits?
Start whenever feels right for your family! Many begin with maternity or newborn photos, while others start their tradition when children are toddlers or school-age. It’s never too late to begin.
Can we do family photos more than once a year?
Of course! Many families book a full session annually plus occasional mini-sessions for holidays, birthdays, or seasonal updates. Choose a family portrait frequency that fits your family’s needs and budge
What if we miss a year?
Don’t stress if you skip a year. Simply restart your tradition when you’re ready. The important thing is having regular professional documentation of your family, not perfection in scheduling.
Creating Your Personal Family Photography Schedule
Now that you understand the recommendations, create your own plan.
Action steps:
- Assess your family stage — Ages of children, upcoming milestones, typical schedule demands
- Set your ideal frequency — Annual, semi-annual, or milestone-based
- Choose preferred seasons — When does your family look and feel best? What locations do you love?
- Budget accordingly — Determine your annual photography investment
- Book ahead — Contact your photographer and reserve your preferred dates 2-3 months in advance
- Add to calendar — Treat family photo sessions as important recurring events, not afterthoughts
- Build your tradition — Make it something your family looks forward to each yea
Ready to Start Your Family Portrait Tradition?
Planning your next session in Zug?, let’s capture your family’s story at the perfect frequency for your unique situation.
As a family photographer who specializes in working with international families, I understand the importance of creating images that travel well—literally and emotionally. My approach combines Portuguese warmth with Swiss precision, ensuring you receive professional, timeless portraits that your family will treasure for generations.
📸 Book your family photo session today
I’m currently accepting bookings for spring 2026 sessions in Zug. Let’s discuss how often you should do family portraits based on your family’s specific needs and create a custom photography plan that works for you.
Hi families! I’m a professional family photographer based in Zug and Zurich, Switzerland. With over 10 years of experience photographing international families, I specialize in natural, timeless portraits that capture authentic family connections. Learn more about me.
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