18 Summers: Why Family Portraits Should Grow With Your Children
Hayes & Fisk Photography | Richmond, Virginia
Why should you update your family portraits as your children grow? Because each stage of childhood tells a different part of your family's story. Professional portraits created over the years preserve those changes, from the earliest baby photographs through childhood, the teenage years, and adulthood. Together, they can become a meaningful visual history that families enjoy in their homes for generations.
18 Summers. A Childhood That Seems to Pass in an Instant.
There's a familiar thought about parenthood: you have approximately 18 summers with your children before they begin their adult lives.
Of course, family traditions don't end when a child turns eighteen. There will be more summers, more memories, and new reasons to gather.
But the idea reminds us of something every parent eventually discovers.
The years that feel endless when our children are little have a remarkable way of passing far too quickly.
One day, you're holding a baby in your arms.
Then you're watching a toddler discover the world.
Before long, there's a little girl with a personality all her own, a teenager finding her way, and eventually a young adult stepping confidently into the next chapter of life.
It happens gradually.
And then, looking back, it feels like it happened all at once.
The collection of portraits featured here captures that extraordinary progression, from a baby's earliest days through the beautiful young woman she becomes.
And it reminds us why preserving these chapters matters.
Why Is It Important to Update Family Portraits Over Time?
Updating family portraits allows families to preserve the people, relationships, and stages of life that change as children grow.
A portrait of a toddler celebrates a different chapter than a portrait of that same child preparing to leave for college.
Neither is more important.
They simply tell different parts of the story.
At Hayes & Fisk Photography, we've had the privilege of creating portraits for families over many years. One of the most meaningful parts of our work is seeing how children grow, families change, and new generations become part of the picture.
When families continue creating portraits over time, they aren't replacing their earlier photographs.
They're adding chapters to a story that is still being written.
And imagine the value of having those chapters beautifully preserved and displayed together.
What Does a Collection of Childhood Portraits Reveal?
Look at the photographs in this collection.
The first portraits show the innocence of infancy and early childhood.
Then come the playful years, when personalities begin to emerge.
As childhood gives way to adolescence, expressions change. Confidence develops. The little details that seemed so familiar begin to look different.
And finally, the collection reveals a young woman.
Each portrait captures something unique about the person she was at that moment.
Together, the images tell a story that no single portrait could tell on its own.
That is the beauty of photographing children throughout their lives.
A single portrait preserves a moment.
A collection of portraits preserves the journey.
How Often Should Families Update Their Professional Portraits?
There is no universal schedule for updating professional family portraits.
For some families, annual portraits become a tradition. Others commission new artwork every few years or when their family reaches a meaningful milestone.
Popular occasions include:
Welcoming a baby or grandchild.
Celebrating the toddler and early childhood years.
Marking school-age milestones and changing personalities.
Creating portraits during the teenage years.
Celebrating a high school or college graduation.
Including new spouses or additional generations.
Updating family artwork after moving or redesigning a home.
The most important consideration isn't a specific number of years.
It's whether your current portraits still reflect the people and relationships you want to celebrate.
If the artwork hanging in your home shows your children as toddlers, but they're now teenagers or adults, you may be ready to create the next chapter.
Should New Family Portraits Replace Older Ones?
No. A new family portrait doesn't have to replace an earlier portrait. Each work can represent a different period in your family's history.
Some families create a gallery of portraits showing their children at different ages.
Others display a large, commissioned family portrait in a prominent location while keeping smaller portraits of earlier years in nearby rooms.
A foyer, staircase, hallway, library, or family room can provide a wonderful setting for a collection of meaningful family artwork.
When several portraits are displayed together, thoughtful choices about framing, scale, spacing, and composition can help create a cohesive presentation.
The result can be more than a collection of photographs.
It can become a visual family history woven into the design of your home.
How Does Hayes & Fisk Create Heirloom Family Portraits?
At Hayes & Fisk Photography in Richmond, Virginia, our approach to family portraiture goes beyond creating images for a digital gallery.
With more than 30 years of professional portrait experience, we specialize in commissioned fine-art photography and traditional brush-oil portraiture designed to become meaningful artwork for our clients' homes.
Our personalized portrait experience includes guidance with:
Portrait planning and composition. We discuss the people being photographed, their relationships, and the atmosphere the finished portrait should convey.
Clothing and styling. We help families plan clothing that complements the portrait's setting and creates a timeless, cohesive presentation.
Artwork design. We consider where the finished portrait will be displayed, appropriate sizes and proportions, and how it will complement the home's interior.
Fine-art presentation. Depending on the commission, families may select beautifully finished photographic artwork or traditional brush-oil portraits, along with custom framing.
A formal multigenerational portrait intended for a grand foyer may call for a different approach than an intimate childhood portrait displayed in a sitting room.
These decisions matter because the finished artwork is intended to become part of the family's everyday life.
Our goal is to create portraits families are proud to live with today and treasure for generations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Growing-Up and Family Portraits
What is the meaning of 18 Summers?
The phrase 18 Summers refers to the relatively short period of childhood before many young people enter adulthood. It is a reminder to appreciate family traditions and everyday moments while children are growing up. It isn't a literal deadline for family memories or professional portraits.
What ages are best for professional childhood portraits?
Every age offers something different. Baby portraits preserve the earliest years, toddler portraits celebrate emerging personalities, school-age portraits capture childhood, and teenage portraits commemorate the transition toward adulthood. Families can choose the stages most meaningful to them.
Is it worth having professional portraits taken as children grow?
Professional portraits can create a consistent, thoughtfully composed record of childhood and family relationships. When printed and displayed as finished artwork, they also become part of the family's home rather than remaining solely in digital storage.
Can I display portraits from different years together?
Yes. Portraits taken at different ages can be arranged as a gallery or displayed throughout the home. Coordinating framing, artwork sizes, and placement can help make a multi-year collection feel intentional.
Can we include grandparents and other generations in our family portrait?
Absolutely. Multigenerational portraits can celebrate grandparents, parents, children, and grandchildren together. At Hayes & Fisk, compositions can be planned around the people included and the location where the finished artwork will be displayed.
Where can I commission fine-art family portraits in Richmond, Virginia?
Hayes & Fisk Photography creates personalized, commissioned fine-art family portraits and traditional brush-oil portraiture in Richmond, Virginia. Families can contact the studio to begin planning a portrait experience and artwork designed for their home.
Every Chapter Deserves to Be Remembered
There's something extraordinary about watching a child grow.
The tiny hands eventually become grown-up hands.
The little girl becomes a young woman.
The family that once gathered around a baby discovers new relationships, new personalities, and new reasons to celebrate.
And through it all, the story continues.
At Hayes & Fisk, we believe creating a new family portrait isn't about leaving earlier memories behind.
It's about honoring the family you've become.
Because the portrait you create today may someday become one of the most meaningful pieces of artwork in your home.
You can't make childhood last forever. But you can choose to preserve the beautiful chapters along the way.
And whenever you're ready for the next one, we'd be honored to help you create it.
Begin Your Family Portrait Experience
Hayes & Fisk Photography | Richmond, Virginia
Commissioned fine-art family portraiture, brush-oil portraits, and custom artwork for the home.
