Thriving Through the Season: What Truly Matters
Before the chaos (and the pie) takes over, take a breath. This is your gentle reminder to pause, get clear on what really matters to you this season, and document your holiday memories with intention, not perfection.
What Photo Do You Regret Not Having?
Every year, families and friends gather, eat, laugh, and before we know it, the day is gone with no photos that actually capture how it felt.
So ask yourself:
What photo do you regret not having from past Thanksgivings?
Was it someone who’s no longer here?
A favorite gathering spot?
Your kids during a big growth spurt?
Or maybe one of you actually in the frame?
Whatever comes up, that’s your clue. That’s what matters most.
(for me, it was a holiday with my elders, as seen below)
Set Your Holiday Photo Intention
I’ll be honest: I barely have any photos of me with my kids from certain years. Why? Because I didn’t want to shoot as much, and I honored that. But the few photos I did take weren’t captured with the intention I wish I’d had.
So this year, let’s shift that together.
Here’s your quick mantra for the season:
“I will increase quality over quantity.”
You don’t need to shoot every moment. You just need to be intentional about the ones that count.
What to Capture This Year
Here’s a suggestion for your Thanksgiving Photo Checklist — not for perfection, but for presence:
The entire group (use that phone stand)
You + the kids (hand the camera to someone else)
You (or a loved one) cooking a favorite dish
The signature dishes together
Meaningful details of the table spread before everyone dives in
The sea of pies, always gold
Any traditions that you do with your family or friends
If you want to make sure the group photo actually happens, here’s your quick tip:
Pack a phone stand, or DIY it, as I have many of times. See below.
Give everyone a heads-up to expect it
Take the photo EARLY — when people look great and before the kids melt down
Set a timer or burst mode
Then let it go and live your life.
And another mantra worth keeping in your back pocket:
“I will ask for what I want.”
Because you deserve to be in the story too.
(Me taking a selfie to be in the photo, which let’s be honest, this looks ridiculous. I didn’t ask for what I wanted that year.)
Put the Phone Down
Once you’ve captured what’s important to you, stop. Put the phone down. Sit. Eat. Laugh. Be part of the memory you’re trying to preserve.
This is thriving through: being intentional, present, and connected, even in the chaos.
Because the best photos aren’t the perfectly posed ones. They’re the ones that remind you exactly how it felt to be there.
If you want to take your family storytelling even further, consider joining The Family Club. With exclusive perks, and first dibs on the booking calendar, it’s a way to make intentional memories a regular part of your family’s story.
