Why It’s Important to Photograph Mom

Iryna Doliba
Jul 21
3 min read

Updated: Aug 2

She’s in the memories — but often not in the frame.

She’s holding the camera, the snacks, the jackets, the day together.

She’s behind the birthday balloons, the scraped knees, the sleepy hugs.

But where is she in the photo?

Let’s talk about that.

The one who’s always behind the lens

In most families, there’s someone who always takes the pictures. Someone who says “wait, let me take one of you two,” or who disappears from every group photo with “I’ll take it.”

Most of the time — it’s mom.

And because of that, moms often have entire chapters of life undocumented. They’re there, always. But not seen.

Memory is emotional — and visual

Our memories attach to faces. Gestures. Expressions.

When children grow up, they remember how mom smiled when the sun hit her face. How she reached out to fix a collar. How she looked when she didn’t know anyone was watching.

These are the moments that matter. Photos don’t have to be posed or polished. They just have to be real.

It’s not just about the kids — it’s about the relationship

We often photograph children beautifully — growing, changing, blooming. But what about the one who held them through every season?

When a mother is in the frame, the photo tells more. It tells of care. Presence. Connection. And in the future, it will tell the children: she was here too.

The invisible legacy

Years from now, when kids look back through albums, they will want to see mom. Not just what you did for them — but who you were. Your laugh. Your hands. The way you looked when you were theirs, completely.

These images become part of their story — and your legacy.

It’s never too late to photograph you and your mom

We often think photos with mom are just for childhood. But there’s something incredibly tender — and rare — in capturing the bond between a grown child and their mother.

Maybe you haven’t hugged her like that in years. Maybe she doesn’t like to be in photos, or says “Oh no, not me.”

But once the camera disappears into the moment, something shifts.

You start seeing each other again. Not through the lens of chores, calls, or roles —but simply: mother and child.

These photos often end up being the most emotional ones.Because they say:

We’re still here. Together. No matter how much time has passed.

So let’s change the habit

Let’s stop saying “I’m not camera ready.” Let’s stop hiding behind the lens, or waiting for the perfect outfit, the perfect time, the perfect version of ourselves.

You, as you are now —deserve to be remembered.

Just look at all these smiling moms in the photos.

And you know what? I’m not just happy for them.

I’m not even thinking about myself — how lucky I am to capture these beautiful stories.

I’m happy for the children. The ones who, years from now, will flip through these photos and smile when they see their mom —right there, laughing, holding them, fully present.

Because that’s what they’ll remember.

And that’s what lasts.