When the Johnsons took their first family portrait, their oldest was just learning to walk. The portrait framed and proudly hung in their living room, captured their new family with soft smiles, tiny hands, and the joy of new beginnings.

A few years later, the Johnsons scheduled another portrait. Their oldest was now in elementary school, missing his two front teeth, and his little sister had arrived, with a mop of wild curls and a mischievous grin. They laughed through the session, marveling at how quickly things had changed since that first portrait.

As the years passed, life grew busier, and they almost forgot to schedule a new session until their photographer sent a reminder. Their kids were in middle school now—too old to be little but not yet grown. They finally took another family portrait, capturing a fleeting moment in their whirlwind of activities and routines.

Now, as they looked at each portrait on the wall, each one felt like a time capsule of the seasons of their family’s life. The years had flown by, but these images had kept their story whole. Every laugh, every hug, and every change was right there, reminding them of the journey they’d traveled together.

The moral of the story is that families grow and change with each season of life. Portraits let us hold onto each chapter, creating a legacy of love and connection through every step of the journey.