State College, PA
Let's be real—family life is pretty much organized chaos. As a business owner, and mom of four...sometimes it feels like I drop more balls than I catch. Between endless (ENDLESS) laundry, sports practices, what feels like millions of emails from 3 different schools, and getting dinner on the table every night (hands down the worst part of parenting. Every night?? ugh), who has time for family photos, right? I get it! But hear me out—even when it feels like we couldn't possibly fit one more thing onto the calendar...I still make sure to schedule family pictures at least once a year. Why? Because family photos aren't just about perfect smiles and matching outfits. They're about capturing real, hilarious, messy, and authentic moments that we'll look back on and not just love...but value for all of the memories they hold. I want picture evidence of my family at all of it's stages of growth, and I want to BE in those pictures!
So, if you're on the fence, stay tuned for my top 2 reasons to prioritize family pictures, even when your life feels a bit crazy:
1. Kids Change in the Blink of an Eye
Seriously. One minute they're two feel tall with their little arms reaching up toward you saying "hole jme" in the tiniest little voice, and the next they're asking for $80 to buy a Nike hoodie...not even as a joke. You'll laugh, because you didn't even realize hoodies could cost that much, and then look at them and realize that it was absolutely not a joke-and they will be quite displeased by that reaction, lol.
I love having high quality photo evidence of all of the different phases that these kids go through, the chubby baby phases, the always moving little kid phases, the gangly pre-teen phases, even the bleached-hair-at-a-sleepover teenager phases. And I don't know about you all, but the phone pictures that I have from 15 years ago have really not stood the test of time. (Why are they so grainy now? I don't remember thinking they looked grainy back then), But the professional pictures that we had taken are still perfect- even all these years later.
I plan on being one of those 80 year old grandma's with a million photo albums laying around, so that when my grandkids come over to visit I can open one and say things like "This was your dad when he was about 5 years old, that was the year we had to call the fire department to get him out of a tree!" (true story). And honestly, that possible reality isn't as far away as it feels, time flies by way too fast and family pictures are an amazing way to capture every stage of your families journey.
2. It's actually fun! (Promise)
Family photography has come a long way from what you might remember, it isn't about perfection anymore, it's about capturing real life moments!
It isn't an hour taking away from life, from playtime, or from family time- it IS an hour of family time. Family sessions are a time to connect with your kids without any distractions, giving you the chance to make memories, laugh together, and really soak in the stage that your family is in right now.
Now, I know what some of you are thinking- I've heard it before. Something about how your kids are some special level of unhinged and a family session would be pointless because there is no way you would walk away with any usable pictures...lets just stop that thinking right there in it's tracks. I have had the absolute pleasure of hanging out with many (maaaany) young, happy, energetic, chaotic little people and we ALWAYS get amazing pictures.
"Mercedes was so great! We were recommended to her by a friend and she did not disappoint. We did a fall mini session and it was so chaotic with my little ones I was afraid we weren't going to get any as a family--but she was able to capture some awesome pictures! We definitely recommend and we will be back next season."
And always remember that family photography doesn't have to look like what you picture in your head. We don't have to meet at The Penn State Arboretum, you don't have to wear fancy clothes. If taking pictures while your family plays a game of baseball at Tudek Park makes more sense, let's do that! (...In fact, someone please reach out to do that, lol. That sounds so fun!)
When you book your session with me, know that we will have a chat to guarantee a session that suits the experience you hope to have with your unique family.
Mercedes Jones is a State College photographer proudly serving clients throughout State College, PA, and surrounding Central Pennsylvania areas, including Bellefonte, Port Matilda, Pleasant Gap, Boalsburg, Julian, and Centre Hall. Specializing in family, newborn, graduation, senior, portrait, and wedding photography, Mercedes is passionate about capturing authentic, memorable moments. For senior sessions, Mercedes regularly serves students from State College Area School District (SCASD), Bald Eagle, Bellefonte, Keystone, Penns Valley, and Tyrone school districts—and loves to travel! Whether you're looking for lifestyle family photography, timeless newborn portraits, or vibrant senior photos, Mercedes Jones Photography is ready to document your life's most important milestones.
