We Don’t Do It for Us, We Do It for Them

Some families stay with you,

Today, one of those families came back to Nest after 4 years. It was their time to view their second set of family portraits in the viewing lounge, four years after their first visit. Back then, they came with their first baby, Orla. This time, they brought their second child, Mackenzie, and something about the experience felt like a full circle moment.

As we watched their new portraits together, there was a stillness in the room. A kind of quiet overwhelm. Mum's eyes welled up as the images played, and though no one said much at first, the emotion was thick in the air. It was Mum who gently leaned over and whispered to Orla that they were happy tears. And they were.

It wasn’t about picture-perfect poses or curating a highlight reel. It wasn’t about “look at me” moments for social media. What was so clear, and so moving was that this family deeply understands why we do what we do. They live and breath it. These portraits weren’t for them, not really. They were for their children. For Orla and Mackenzie, brother and sister.

After the video finished, we started to talk. Just a gentle, natural conversation. We spoke about why Nest exists, Dad and I actually got sidetracked discussing tech and computers, digital marketing and the like, but also the heart behind Nest. I shared a little of my story, and we found ourselves connecting on a very real, very human and friend level. They’re not a flashy family. They’re thoughtful. Kind. Anchored in love - and in a shared understanding that some things matter more than we realise - until suddenly they matter more than anything.

Mum remembered the quote we have on our studio wall, one that was there during their first visit, and still lives on the wall today (one we should move to reception in all honesty)

One day, all your children will have is photographs.
Make sure you are in them.
No matter what your hair looks like, your makeup, or your body — they won’t care about any of that.
They will just want to see you.

Mum told me that quote had stayed with her since their first session four years ago and that back then it helped her find the courage to step in front of the camera. She shared how nervious and unsure they were the first time around. They hadn’t done anything like that before. But even then, they knew they wanted to do it - not for themselves, but for Orla.

And now, they were doing it again. For both of their children.

At one point, Dad pulled up an image from that first session - a baby photo of Orla - and we were all struck by how much she and her baby brother looked alike. It was such a beautiful, unexpected echo through time.

Towards the end of the viewing, there was a lovely little moment. Orla, now four, had asked for a photo of her and her daddy - just the two of them - to go in her bedroom. It’s something they’d talked about at home, but hearing it, in that space, after everything we'd just experienced, was so lovely.

Mum adored that bond, the fact her daughter was a daddy’s girl. It was a quiet reminder that this was a family grounded in genuine love, not performance or perfection. The kind that needs no explanation, the kind of love that doesn’t compete. It wasn’t about having favourites. It was about seeing a little girl who clearly feels safe, adored, and connected.

And that’s the thing, isn’t it? We don’t do this for social media. We don’t do it for ourselves.

We do it for them.

So they grow up in homes where they see themselves. Where they feel they belong. Where love is not just said, but shown - on walls, in frames, in memories.

This family - they got that. Completely. They didn’t need it explaining.

They live and breathe everything Nest stands for. And today, without even realising it, they reminded me why my work is so important.