When my Mother-in-law’s 70th birthday was coming up, I kept thinking about what we could give her that actually she’d treasure.
She didn’t really need more “stuff”.
So instead of another physical gift, I organised a family photoshoot for us all.
Aunties, Uncles, Brothers, Sisters, Cousins & the dog.
Why We Decided to Do It
Like most families, we’re always saying we need to get a proper photo of everyone together. And like most families, we never quite get around to it.
There’s always someone missing. Someone working. Someone abroad.. Someone saying they’ll organise it “soon”.
But 70 felt like the right time to stop putting it off.
As a family photographer in Surrey & Hampshire, I know how quickly the years move. Children grow up. Families expand. Parents become grandparents. And suddenly the “we should do this” moment has passed.
I didn’t want that to happen.
Keeping It Relaxed
I didn’t want the shoot to feel overly posed or formal. The goal wasn’t perfection – it was just to capture us as we are right now with the dog too!
A mix of generations & different personalities. Those are the moments that actually matter.
More Than Just a Birthday Gift
What made it special wasn’t just the photos themselves – it was everyone being there.
All together. No distractions. No rushing off.
And seeing her reaction afterwards reminded me why family photoshoots are so important. Not because everything looks perfect, but because it’s real. It’s a snapshot of your family at a particular point in time – and that changes faster than we realise.
Turning the Photos Into Something We Could Keep
After the shoot, we chose one of the images to frame for her – a simple, timeless photo of all her Grandchildren together. Something she can see every day rather than scrolling past on a phone.
My sister-in-law also created a photo book with all of the images from the session. It wasn’t overcomplicated – just a beautiful collection of moments from that afternoon.
Seeing her sit and slowly turn the pages, pointing out little details and laughing at certain photos, was probably the best part. It meant the session didn’t just live on a screen. It became something she could keep, revisit and share.
If You’re Thinking About Doing the Same
Milestone birthdays are a brilliant reason to book a family photoshoot, but honestly, you don’t need a big occasion.
If you’re based in Surrey or Hampshire and have been saying “we really should book something”, consider this your reminder.
View the family gallery here:
https://photographybyzoe.uk/family-gallery/
You don’t have to wait until everything feels organised or calm or ideal. Real life is enough.
And years from now, you’ll be glad you did.
If you liked this you will love my blog on The Best Beaches To Travel To From Surrey:
https://photographybyzoe.uk/the-5-best-beaches-to-travel-to-from-surrey/
Lots of love
Zoe xxx
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