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In the field of early professional photography, the real essence of family photography was overlooked. Back then, photographers have no idea how to motivate their clients, while family subjects on the other hand failed to actively take part during photography sessions. It can be observed that most if not all family stills from centuries ago were usually stiff images wherein the subjects are idly sitting on chairs without showing unnecessary movements, snapped under limited lighting with large format cameras and slow film. The resulting photos are stiff and formal and they do not necessarily capture the feelings behind such expressions.

It should be regarded that just like family storytelling, photos depict relationships among family members, but this is not well represent in past family photography. However, the changes in technology have also brought about changes in behavior. Because more and more people are now own cameras and are becoming adept to its technicalities, the process of photography has become less intimidating, which in turn permit changes in the emotional content of family photos. Meaning, family members are now accustomed to posing at their own liberty during photo shoots.

Modern family photography is moving away from stiff and formal photos of the past that were often snapped inside studios. Today, more and more circles of family are choosing to have their portrait shot at a location that holds special meaning to them. It can be inside their bedrooms, at their favorite vacation area, or together with their prized possessions, which truly resonate their indebtedness to family time. On a similar note, while the subjects of past photography were often compelled to maintain stiff poses while directly looking at the camera, modern photo shoots permit the members of the family to engage in ongoing activities without the need to look at the camera in order to make the shot more realistic.

There are three primary reasons why parents like to commission portraiture for the family: for pride, documentation of family growth, and to commemorate not only the faces of each family member but also the laughter and fun that that particular moment holds. Photographing children, for example, has become so popular because for parents the ability to capture their child' early years is a priceless reminder of a time that can only be enjoyed once and can never be repeated. The portraits of children in the family are more than just historical documentations of their growth, but they also become universal commemorative pieces that encompass the kids' innocence that will be gone once they grow up.

The same thing goes with teen photos often commissioned during high school graduations, which is an essential changing time for the whole family as graduation is the time when parents often feel proud about their kids' accomplishments and maturity, and on the other hand also represent the parents realization of how fast their children have grown. From that point forward, family gatherings become less and less frequent, so the times spent together as a family during special occasions become more and more special. Regardless if it is during a wedding, parent's anniversary or christening of grandchild, the fact that the family is gathered once again is a reason enough to capture every sweet moment from such events. Family portraits freeze frame vital parts in our lives that serves as our reminders of why we work, love and live.

Currently, family portraiture, whether they are teen photos, children photos or parent photos, is more than just a reminder of our aesthetic appeal during a certain period in our lives. It is all about encapsulating the heart and soul of the subject family. The subjects must be able to look directly at the camera and speak volumes of their emotions through their eyes, or never look at the camera and speak volumes about themselves through their actions. Succinctly, family photos greatly detail how a family perceives the world.