Your Photos, Your Choice: Privacy in Newborn and Family Photography

One thing I always want parents to feel during a photography session is comfortable. Comfortable asking questions, comfortable speaking up, and comfortable knowing their family’s preferences will always be respected. Every family approaches photos differently, and there is no “right” way to share or enjoy them.

Over the years, some parents have asked me not to post their child’s face online, and I have always been happy to honor that. Other families love sharing every milestone and memory with friends and relatives. Most families fall somewhere in the middle. What matters most to me is that parents feel supported in whatever feels best for their family.

I truly believe photographs do not become meaningful because they are posted online. They become meaningful because they preserve connection. They freeze tiny details that change too quickly, document the love within a family, and give children something tangible to look back on years from now. Whether those images live in an album on your coffee table, framed on your walls, or shared with grandparents across social media, they still matter deeply.

One of the things I love about photography is that there are so many beautiful ways to tell a story. Sometimes it is a big smile looking straight at the camera. Sometimes it is tiny fingers wrapped around dad’s hand, curls catching the light, or the way a child leans into their mom during a quiet moment. Every family’s gallery reflects their comfort level and personality, and that flexibility is something I value very much.

I also think parents today are more thoughtful than ever about how they approach their children’s online presence, and I see that as a positive thing. Families are having intentional conversations about privacy, boundaries, and what feels appropriate for their kids as they grow up in a digital world. That thoughtfulness deserves encouragement, not judgment.

As a newborn and family photographer, I know these sessions often happen during emotional, meaningful seasons of life. Parents are trusting me with moments that feel personal and important. Part of building that trust is making sure families know their wishes will always come first, whether that involves sharing images publicly or keeping them just for the people closest to them.

At the end of the day, my goal is simple: to create photographs your family will treasure while making the experience feel easy, respectful, and personal to you. However you choose to enjoy your images, they should feel like a celebration of your family and the season you are in right now.