When All Your Kids Are Home at the Same Time… Take the Photo

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If you’re a mom of older kids, you know how rare it is to have everyone home at the same time. Between school, college, jobs, and life pulling everyone in different directions, those moments don’t happen often. So when they do? You grab them.

That’s exactly what I did recently.

All four of my kids were home at the same time—a minor miracle—and instead of overthinking it or waiting for the “perfect” moment, I decided to do a quick photo session right then and there.

Here’s the honest truth:
There was no time to stress about outfits. No coordinating colors. No shopping trip. No Pinterest board.

Instead, I asked each of them to grab a sweatshirt that represents where they are right now in their life.

• One wore a high school sweatshirt – she’s a sophomore
• One wore a college sweatshirt – he’s an Aggie
• One wore a Chicago sweatshirt – that’s where she lives
• One wore a medical school sweatshirt – she’s in year one of med school

We didn’t discuss colors or what to wear with these sweatshirts. The kids just showed up with the sweatshirt that they picked out. And you know what? The pictures turned out so cute.

The photos tell a story. Not a perfectly styled, matchy-matchy story—but a real one. A snapshot of this exact season of life. Each kid in a different chapter, all together in one frame.

That’s the reminder I want to share with other parents:
It doesn’t matter so much what they’re wearing. What matters is that you took the photo.

Now I have an updated image of all four of my kids together—something I’ll treasure more and more as the years go by. These seasons move fast. Kids grow up. Lives get busy. And waiting for everything to be “just right” often means missing the moment altogether.

So if your kids are home together—even briefly—take the picture. Phone, camera, messy hair, mismatched outfits and all. You’ll never regret having it.

Because one day, that photo won’t just show what they were wearing…
It’ll show who they were at that moment in time. 💛

Why These “Right Now” Moments Matter

As a family photographer in Allen, Texas, I see this all the time—families waiting for the “perfect” moment to schedule photos. The truth is, the perfect time is often the one you didn’t plan for. Whether your kids are little, in high school, off at college, or building lives of their own, every season deserves to be documented.

That’s why Mini Sessions are such a great option. They’re relaxed, low-stress, and perfect for capturing genuine connections without overthinking outfits or details. If you’ve been meaning to update your family photos, consider this your sign to do it now—before schedules change again.

You can also schedule longer sessions with more location and outfit options, but if you just need an updated family picture, then a Mini Session is the perfect choice!

If you’re looking for a family photographer in Allen, McKinney, Plano, Frisco, or the greater Dallas area, I’d love to help you capture your family exactly as you are in this season of life.

As always, you can find us over at Paula Mason Photography. Just let us know how we can help you!

Until next time…