Are Family Films Worth Adding to Your Photo Session?
Quick Answer
A family film allows you to relive your family exactly as they are right now, not just what they looked like, but how they sounded, moved, laughed, and interacted with each other.
While photos freeze a moment in time, a family film preserves the movement, personality, and little details that can be easy to forget as the years pass.
The best part? It happens during your regular family photo session. There’s nothing extra you need to do.
What Is a Family Film?
A family film is a short video created during your family photo session that captures movement, connection, and snippets of sound from your time together.
Think about your child’s laugh.
The way they run toward you.
How they tuck their hair behind their ear.
The way their little feet move when they’re excited.
Photos capture these moments beautifully, but video brings them to life in a different way.
I love family films because they allow families to experience their memories in motion. The location feels more alive. The interactions feel more real. And years later, those little details become incredibly meaningful.
I have a VHS tape from the 1980s of my sister and I when we were little. When I watch it now, what stands out most isn’t what we looked like. My sister and I are still close today, and that old video allows me to revisit a version of our relationship that photos alone couldn’t fully preserve.
Why Photos and Video Work So Well Together
Photos and video aren’t competing with each other, they complement each other.
Photos become artwork for your walls, albums, and frames. Video helps you step back into a moment.
One of the reasons I love offering family films is because I know how much these moving memories can mean later.
It’s hearing our voices, seeing how we interacted, and remembering what was important to us at that age. That’s the feeling I hope families experience when they watch their films years from now.
Related: Portland Videographer
Do Family Films Add More Time to a Session?
No. This is one of the biggest misconceptions families have.
Many parents assume adding a family film means there will be extra equipment, extra posing, or a separate filming process.
In reality, nothing changes for you.
You don’t need different outfits, more time to prepare anything extra, or need to perform for the camera.
While we’re creating your photographs, I’m naturally weaving in video clips throughout the session. Most families don’t even realize when I’m capturing video because it blends seamlessly into everything we’re already doing.
The experience stays focused on spending time together as a family.
Grab My Free Location Guide
Not sure where to plan your next family session?
Download my free Portland Family Location Guide to discover some of my favorite family-friendly locations around the area.
What Makes a Family Film Different From Taking Videos on Your Phone?
We all have hundreds of videos on our phones, but most of those clips live in our camera roll and rarely get watched again.
A family film is different because it’s intentionally crafted into a story.
Instead of isolated clips, your film is thoughtfully edited to highlight the connection, personality, and interactions that make your family unique.
I also capture snippets of sound throughout the session. Maybe it’s your child giggling or a sweet conversation between siblings. In addition, it could include the sound of waves crashing during a beach session or birds chirping in the background.
Those little sounds may seem ordinary today, but they often become some of the most meaningful parts of a family film years later.
My Favorite Family Film Moment
Some of the best moments happen when nobody is trying to create them.
During one session, a little girl started singing “Happy Birthday.” She was talking to her dad about her grandpa’s recent birthday party and suddenly started singing.
I happened to be recording and I captured the entire moment with sound. Now that family has more than a photograph of that memory. They can hear her voice and can share it with Grandpa.
And years from now, they’ll still be able to remember exactly how she sounded at that age. Moments like that are why I love family films. They preserve the things we never think to plan for.
Related: Why Candid Photos Create Better Family Photos
Who Should Add a Family Film to Their Session?
Family films are especially meaningful for parents who want to remember more than just appearances.
They are a wonderful addition for:
- Families with young children
- Parents who value experiences over things
- Families who want to preserve their children’s personalities
- Families who live near grandparents or extended family
- Parents who wish they could slow time down just a little
Children change so quickly.
Not just physically.
Their voices change.
Their mannerisms change.
The way they interact with you changes.
A family film helps preserve those details while they’re still fresh.
Is a Family Film Worth It?
For many families, the answer becomes clear years later.
When you’re in the middle of parenting, it’s easy to think you’ll always remember how your children sounded, moved, and interacted. But time has a way of softening those details.
That’s why I still love that old shaky VHS tape of my sister and I because it allows me to revisit a piece of my childhood that I couldn’t experience any other way.
Family films offer that same opportunity.
They preserve the laughter, movement, voices, and little moments that make your family uniquely yours.
Ready to Add a Family Film to Your Session?
If you’re already planning family photos, adding a family film is one of the simplest ways to preserve the moments that photos can’t fully capture on their own.
I’d love to help you create both beautiful images and a film that allows you to revisit this season of life for years to come.
–>Learn More About Family Photography
Frequently Asked Questions
What is included in a family film?
A family film is a professionally edited 2-3 minute video created during your family session that highlights connection, movement, and meaningful moments.
Do family films add extra time to a session?
No. Family films are captured naturally during your existing session and do not require additional preparation from you.
Will my children need to do anything differently?
Not at all. Children simply play, explore, laugh, and interact naturally throughout the session.
Can I share my family film with grandparents and relatives?
Absolutely. After your gallery is delivered, you can easily download and share. Many families love sharing their films with grandparents, extended family members, and future generations.
Do family films include sound?
Yes. I capture snippets of laughter, conversation, and environmental sounds that help bring your memories back to life.
