Displaying photos of your children builds self esteem
Did you know that having photographs of your children on display in your home, builds self esteem? And, even more when they see you loving the photos?
This is something that I hadn’t considered when choosing what photos to display in my home, but that I’ve experienced first hand with my own children…I’m definitely not trying to add any more parental guilt to your plate (fellow Moms…I see you!!) but am hoping to share with you the real importance of having family photos decorating your home.
Displaying Images of your child/family:
Reinforce Self Image
When you have photos on display in your home, it reinforces your child’s self image. If you have photos of them doing a favorite activity or participating in an event, this builds and adds to their own self image. They see themselves happy, concentrating, and participating in something they love. A great way to do this is to display photos of your children doing something they love. This can be accomplished with a photo on their nightstand.
Self Confidence
When children see photos of themselves on display, it shows that you are proud of them, and that they are important members of your family. That pride translates into building self confidence and self esteem.
Their place in family/community
By having a professional photographer capture images of your children in your loving embrace, connected to you with documentary or lifestyle photographs that show you love them unconditionally, with a touch, or a look, they can see their place and importance within their family. When children see these images as they grow it reinforces their valuable role within their family, and the community. If you have extended family photographs, with multiple generations included, this even further reinforces their place within their larger loving family.
Meaningfully connected to others
With the family photographs you show how they are meaningfully connected to others. You can also support their connection to others with photos of them with friends and teams. This builds self confidence by showing that their involvement in the community and their connection to others is also important to you.
Their place in the world
Photographs of your children exploring the world, on adventures, and involved in their communities also shows them that they have an important role in the world. As a child, it can be hard to see where you fit in the big picture of society, and photographs of your children that display their connections within your family and community support their understanding of their importance and place in the world.
Able to see growth and change
When your children see photos of themselves over time, they are really able to acknowledge and see change in themselves and their growth over time. It provides perspective, pride, and joy to look back and see how they have grown.
A public statement that we are proud of them
In addition to showing our love for our children by displaying individual portraits and family photos in our home, we are also making a public statement that we are proud of our children. When kids see their photos displayed proudly on the walls of their home, where any visitor will see them, they know that you are proud of them.
So, how can you be sure to document your growing children over time?
By planning an annual or semi-annual family photo session, you will show your family and your children that documenting their growth is important to you. You can book a family session each year, AND, have your kids modern portraits taken each year as well. This is a great way to show their place within your family AND their individual growth.
To see more family, children, and portrait specific blog posts, check out these posts:
If you’d like to read more about how photographs of your children impact your children’s self esteem, here’s some articles you may find interesting:
The Baltimore Sun, The Daily Mail, and My Child Magazine.