Self Esteem & Displayed Photographs - Child Photographer, Brooksville Florida
Let’s face it, we live in a very digital world.
As a child of the 80s and 90s, I find it very hard still to reconcile to many of these changes. For instance, I will never be able to read e-books (I’ve tried) as I love the tactile feel of the pages and the smell of the book. It’s one of the reasons I cannot go to mirrorless cameras (I need to hear and feel the shutter inside my camera). In fact, I am going backwards as my love for film has resurfaced.
This digitalization long ago ate up printed photographs. Often people don’t display any photographs around their home, all are stored on their smart phones and computer hard drives. Digitizing is a highly organized, efficient, and space saving way to store thousands upon thousands of family photos. It protects photos against poor storage and fire and other catastrophic damage. So many positives.
But do adults see all their photos daily? Sometimes yes, when they are screen backgrounds and such. Many times older photographs are forgotten as new ones are taken, but this happens with prints too. But do you know who probably doesn’t see these photographs most days? Your kids.
Let’s talk for a moment about what photographs your kids might see on a daily basis.
If they are young, they probably only ones that you sit down and show them on your phone. What about slightly older kids that might have their own phone? They probably take and see selfies and social media pictures, which come and go as fast as a blink of the eye. But a selfie is not the same as a family photograph, set on the wall or shelf for all who enter the home to see.
So why is it important for kids to see photographs of them and their families?
Why isn’t what they see enough? And what does this have to do with self esteem?
Well, a study out of Tulane in 1975 showed that kids have greater confidence and higher self esteem in homes where family photographs are displayed. Family photographs and snapshots are now being used in what is called PhotoTherapy. Clearly photographs can have a profound effect. Hint: this is not just about taking family photographs however, because obviously that is something most of us do everyday. This is about what we DO with family photographs.
When we display family photographs, we are making a statement. A statement that our kids pick up on immediately, and that boosts their confidence and self esteem. When we display photographs of our family and kids, we are saying 2 things:
I value you. You are important to me to be displayed in my home, to be cherished in my home. You have intrinsic value to me. What kid doesn’t love to not only be told but SEE their value in their family’s eyes?
You belong. When a child sees photographs, especially printed photographs, of themselves and their family on a daily basis, it reaffirms to them who they are. This is your family. You belong. This is part of who you are. Extended family photographs such as grandparents and aunts and uncles add to this history. For kids, tweens, and teens who struggle with self identity, the greatest gift you can give them is the building block foundation of where they come from and where they belong. In time they will define their self beyond their family, but without a solid foundation of where they come from, the search for self identity is so much harder. Seeing family as a part of your self identity also strengthens family bonds and holds families together, even as kids grow into adults.
So what should we do with this information? What are some ways to go about this?
First, print your photos! It can simply be putting some frames of 4x6s on your sideboard or mantel. You’ve got tons. You can print from an online print lab, go to the drug store, or just print a few off your printer at home. If you want to get fancy, put up a gallery wall that you update pictures from. See my Instagram reel to see an example of mine. Some people love magnets or wall/daily calendars. Photo books on the coffee table are another great way for kids to look through family pictures (my kids like to look through my wedding album).
You know what else my kids love? Polaroids. Because they print - instantly! Consider getting them a polaroid camera or wind up disposable and a bulletin/photo board to post them on. Let them display their photos and pictures too.
You don’t need to go crazy, but choose a few ideas that work for you. What’s important is having your kids see them on a daily basis.
To me, photographs make a home.
Thoughtfully,
Eva
“Home is the nicest word there is.”