It’s no secret that photographs are impactful. Without a spoken word, they can make us feel compassion or stir us to action. When personal, they can trigger distant memories and and a vast array of feelings. But, did you know that family photographs have the power to boost your children’s self-esteem?

In 1975, a study was conducted by Tulane University with a group of fourth graders at a Tennessee school using polaroid cameras. The students were instructed to take photos of themselves in a variety of poses, compositions, and expressions. Over the course of 5 weeks, the students created scrapbooks using their polaroid images. The study concluded that self-esteem behaviors during this time went up an average of 37%, a significant increase.

So how can family portraits increase your children’s confidence in their own worth and abilities?

According to David Krauss, who is one of the earliest pioneers in Photo Therapy, “it is really important to show a family as a family unit. It is so helpful for children to see themselves as a valued and important part of that family unit. A photographer’s job is to create and make the image look like a safe holding space for kids where they are safe and protected. Kids get it on a really simple level.”

In addition, according to Judy Weiser, a psychologist, art therapist and author based in Vancouver, photographs let “children learn who they are and where they fit. They learn their genealogy and the the uniqueness of their own family and its story. When a child sees a family portrait with them included in the photograph they say to themselves: ‘These people have me as part of what they are, that’s why I belong here. This is where I come from.’” 

Why are physical photographs more important than digital images?

“Displaying photos prominently in the home sends the message that our family and those in it are important to one another, and we honor the memories we have experienced,” says Cathy Lander-Goldberg, a licensed clinical social worker and a professional photographer in St. Louis, Missouri and the author of Photo Explorations.

According to David Walsh, Ph.D., who is an award-winning psychologist, best-selling author on varying parenting topics, and founder of the National Institute on Media and the Family, “When we see photographs of ourselves at celebrations or family events, they reinforce belonging, which is so critical to all of us, not just our children.” Walsh, who also believes printed images are especially powerful regarding self-esteem and belonging, also says, “One of the reasons that photography is so powerful is that we’re a very visual species. We have, of course, five senses but we have more brain cells dedicated to vision than all of the other senses combined.”

Where should we display photographs of our children/family?

I believe it is important to display images in places where your children can regularly view them. This can be the living room, dining room, bedroom, hallway, etc. Krauss supports this practice and even recommends family photos in your children’s bedroom so it can be seen before they go to sleep and when they wake up in the morning. “It says we love you and care about you. You’re important.”

Do you have fond memories of photographs displayed in your childhood home? How did those photos make you feel? While there were always a few framed photos scattered about our home as a child/teenager, my mom always kept albums and shoeboxes of family photos. To this day, we pull out the photos at least once a year and go through them. Growing up, I always remember feeling a strong sense of belonging and connection to our past family memories/experiences while thumbing through our photographs. I would think to myself, “These are my people. I love them, and they love me.” I’m 28 years old and as an adult, I still get that feeling. I’m thankful for the way my early childhood was document, because it still impacts me to this day. And I know those photographs will only increase in their value the older I get.