Today, I’m writing not as a photographer, but as a mum. A mum trying to navigate the same challenge many of us face: finding balance with technology in our kids’ lives.

We all want our children to be confident in a digital world. Technology is part of life—it’s not going anywhere. But how much is too much? Where’s the line between helpful and harmful? How do we raise tech-savvy kids without letting screens take over their childhood?

How We Limit Screen Time Without Losing Connection

Over the past few years we have been implementing a variety of strategies to help our children (and ourselves) find this balance. 

Limited screen times.

Limited devices. 

A new found love of audio books for all ages (yes even my then 2 year old started listening). 

My 8 and 10 year old have listened to all 6 Harry Potter books as audio books. 

The whole tree house series, and then read it again and again. 

If you are bored, go find a book I often find myself saying. 

If you haven’t already, here’s a mum hack worth sharing: download the BorrowBox app. Use your local library login to “borrow” audiobooks for free. It’s been a game-changer in our house.

This week we upgraded. I have bought the Yoto Mini for my soon to be 5 year olds birthday. I want her to be in control of when and what she listens to. I love this device because it doesnt have a screen.

Don’t get me wrong—my kids still watch plenty of TV. We enjoy going to the movies, and they have a Nintendo Switch they’re allowed to use on set days. Recently, we even received two old computers, which the boys use for homework and a kids’ touch-typing program. Technology is very much part of our lives.

But I can always tell when screen time has tipped too far. Their mood shifts. Energy dips. Behaviour changes. It’s subtle at first, but it builds.

Creating Family Heirlooms with Family Photography Artwork

One thing I’ve always been passionate about is keeping our family memories alive off the screen. We print photos. We create albums. We hang artwork around our home. It’s a core part of my business, and it’s deeply personal. Because what’s the point of investing in beautiful photos, only to have them sit on your phone—maybe glanced at once a year?

The world is overflowing with stuff. Things come and go, and the piles on the footpath get higher as we discard what we no longer need.

But photographs—when printed with care, framed beautifully, and made to last—are different. These are the things we keep.

They’re not just pretty pictures. They’re family history, heirlooms in the making.

Its value is far more than you perceive it to be right now. 

Imagine how meaningful this frame will be in 50 years from now. Where will it be in 100 years from now?

A Reminder from a Sydney Family Photographer: Print Your Memories

Last night, while I was cooking dinner, my ten-year-old quietly pulled out one of our family albums and our photos from our family photoshoots. Before long, his siblings joined him. Together, they sat flipping through the pages, completely immersed in our family’s story—no screens, no notifications, no distractions. Just pure joy, holding memories in their hands.

That moment is exactly why I do what I do.

Print your photos.

Hang them where little hands can reach.

Let your kids see their story unfold on the walls of your home.

You’ll thank yourself in 50 years. Trust me.

Want to know how I help families turn their precious memories into heirloom photo prints?

Explore my family photography artwork collections here.