Ahh, remember those good old days when the whole family would get dressed up for those classic family photos?  We all enjoyed and suffered the nit-picking of our parents on those yearly occasions when we all posed together.  It's certainly a blast to dig up those memories of teen insecurities and zits, which made us the people we are today.  Okay, maybe not so much.

We can't avoid them no matter how hard we try.  They're family photos.  Although as children we typically don't care for the brutal process of uncomfortable cloths and a fake smile, as parents we learn an entirely new take on the process.  We all want good family photos to capture those times that pass us by all too quickly.  It is one of our few methods of keeping touch with those memories and joys of our past.  I recall as a child, or actually a teenager, which is more traumatic, having family photos taken every year.  At the time, I had no appreciation for the occasion.  I only knew that for some reason, unexplained, that my parents were making me dress up in cloths I wouldn't typically wear and pose for pictures.  It seemed like such a hassle.  Now, being a parent myself, I can certainly appreciate the desire for good family photos.  This should be made an annual event amongst families.  It's a great way to capture that particular stage in our lives.  

My wife and I now take regular pictures of our family to capture those special memories.  I am one of the lucky ones, because my daughter loves to have her picture taken.  I just have to be prepared for a lot of protruding tongues and funky grins.  It's all in good fun.  You will actually appreciate these family photos earlier than you might think.  I already look back at pictures and reminisce on those times that passed all too quickly.  I am more than glad that I captured them when I could.  I think it's always good to preserve these memories since we obviously can't get the times back.  Life moves so fast, you have to take action.  

As a child my father told me if I was ever home alone and the house caught on fire, get out, but if you can, toss out the chest of photos with you.  It's the only thing we can't replace.  Of course I thought this was one of the weirdest things I had ever heard.  Now, as a father myself, I completely understand and agree with what my father was saying.  It is a good idea to keep copies of those family photos in a box or chest, which is available if something should happen.  We have to protect those memories of times we can't get back.