Why Experiences are Better Than Things | San Francisco Bay Area Family Portraits

Create New Family Memories

Create new family memories this year with an exciting portrait session. Not only does a professional portrait session capture this special moment in your family’s life, but you get to create new memories together! Whether we skip through the redwoods, find seashells on the beach or a cuddle on your couch, kids will remember that you made time with family a priority this year. Unique experiences stay with us longer than material things, so when we have a playful photo session, you have participated in a new adventure and have custom art to enjoy for decades!

Experiences result in greater happiness. According to research, experiences result in longer-lasting happiness than material possessions. This is the case for several reasons (including some listed below). But in the article provided, the driving argument is that humans quickly adapt to their external surroundings. As a result, the happiness provided by new material possessions is short-lived. Over time, people’s satisfaction with the things they buy decreases, whereas their satisfaction with experiences over time increases.

As reported in The Atlantic Over the past decade, an abundance of psychology research has shown that experiences bring people more happiness than do possessions. The idea that experiential purchases are more satisfying than material purchases has long been the domain of Cornell psychology professor Thomas Gilovich. Since 2003, he has been trying to figure out exactly how and why experiential purchases are so much better than material purchases. In the journal Psychological Science last month, Gilovich and Killingsworth, along with Cornell doctoral candidate Amit Kumar, expanded on the current understanding that spending money on experiences “provide[s] more enduring happiness.” They looked specifically at anticipation as a driver of that happiness; whether the benefit of spending money on an experience accrues before the purchase has been made, in addition to after. And, yes, it does.

 Full Sessions vs Mini Sessions

This year, I will be offering my Full Sessions as well as Mini Sessions.  

A Full Session is a custom 45 min. session at your desired location, date and time. This might be at your own home, a visit to the beach or a trip to the Golden Gate Bridge. We work together to find a location that is both convenient for your family but also makes your heart sing. This allows for plenty of time for pose combinations of kids, parents, and pets, both candid and traditional. 

A Mini Session is 20 min. session at a curated location of my choosing with set time slots. Great for families who want a quick update of their existing photos. This year my mini session locations are at Lake Temescal in Oakland, the foothills of Mt Diablo in Walnut Creek and in the Oakland redwoods. My calendar is filling-up quickly so act soon to capture your family’s journey! 

If you are looking for meaningful family portraits to celebrate your relationships, consider booking a wonderful photo session with Nightingale Photography this year. When you are ready to create new family memories and are looking for a portrait photographer in Oakland, Piedmont, Berkeley, Orinda, Lafayette, Walnut Creek, San Francisco, Marin, or the Peninsula, I would love to help!