In this post, I share why documenting family recipes, even messy, imperfect kitchen moments, can become some of your most meaningful memories. I talk about how recipes and photographs both preserve stories, why the messy moments matter, and provide tips for capturing your own family traditions and kitchen moments.
Why the Messy Moments Matter
My mother-in-law wasn’t known for being an exceptional cook. My husband’s childhood memories included meals like cow’s tongue - and the dread of feeling the texture of taste buds with each bite - and the pungent smell of liver that hit him blocks away as he biked home from school.
Yet, he fondly remembers her pumpkin pies, so much so that pumpkin pies are still his favorite dessert to this day.
I got the recipe from her thinking I could score two wins at once: one with the hubby by making his favorite dessert and the other with my kids by creating a core memory that they'd cherish for years to come.
Let’s just say…it didn’t exactly go according to plan.
Pumpkin Pie Chaos
New to the world of pumpkin pie making, I didn't realized the pies were made with those cute little “decorative” pumpkins you see at the grocery store. Instead, I bought three giant carving pumpkins - one for each kid.
Do you know how many pies one of those giant pumpkins makes? SIX. Times three.
The kids bailed as soon as they had to scoop out the slimy seeds. But I persisted. I tried roasting the seeds…only to promptly burn them in the oven while I wrestled with all that pumpkin flesh. There I was, in my tiny kitchen, drowning in pumpkin guts, 18 pies, burnt seeds, and zero helpers.
But when my husband came home, he didn't see a kitchen disaster. He saw the joy and the excitement of his childhood memories. With a boyish twinkle in his eyes, he not so secretly loved the idea of eating pumpkin pie every day.
What We Learn From Messy Moments
That moment reminded me of something important: families everywhere have recipes that tie us to the past; messy kitchen moments become stories we tell over and over. Though his mom has since passed away, her pumpkin pies remain a cherished memory, a reminder that traditions and the love behind them endure.
I don’t have any photos of my husband's mom making pumpkin pies, or of my own pumpkin pie covered counters. But I wish I did. Those imperfect, real-life moments are exactly what make family memories so rich.
Tips for parents: You don't need perfect lighting or a spotless kitchen. If you’re making pumpkin pie (or any family favorite) at home, grab a few candid shots: kids digging out seeds, tiny hands covered in flour, the pumpkin mess that somehow becomes part of the memory.
Recipes and Photographs: Both Preserve Stories
Recipes, like photographs, hold our family’s stories. We pass them down from generation to generation, like heirlooms, preserving not just food but tradition, love, and connection.
That’s at the heart of in-home family photography for me: preserving everyday moments, little rituals, and traditions that bind families together.
Mini photography tip: Choose one recipe your family loves, grab your camera or phone, and document the process. Don’t worry if it’s messy. The mess is part of the story.
Preserve Your Own Family Traditions
I love helping families capture these everyday, imperfect, joyful moments at home. Whether it’s pumpkin pies, pancakes, or a simple family breakfast, these small rituals are what turn a house into a home.
If you’d like to preserve your family’s stories and traditions in photographs you’ll treasure forever, I’d love to help. Book an in-home session with me today.
Recently photographed a mother and daughter making breakfast together in their kitchen. Bed head, jammies, and all — it was such a sweet reminder that the beauty of these sessions isn’t in the perfect recipe, but in the messy, real moments that happen along the way.
Whether it’s pie, pancakes, or grandma’s secret casserole, these everyday kitchen memories deserve to be remembered.
From My Kitchen to Yours
Since I mentioned it earlier, I thought I'd share my mother-in-law's pumpkin pie recipe. It's simple and a family favorite. I hope it brings a little warmth to your home too.
Marion's Pumpkin Pie Recipe
Ingredients
2 eggs, slightly beaten
2 cups pumpkin puree
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ginger
1/4 tsp cloves
1 2/3 c evaporated milk
9" pie shell
Directions
- Wash the pumpkin. Then cut off the stem. Slice the pumpkin in half, lengthwise. Scoop the seeds out.
- Place the pumpkin cut side down on a baking sheet. Bake at 375° for 35-45 minutes, until pumpkin is tender when pierced with a fork.
- Scoop out the pumpkin flesh and blend in a blender or food processor until smooth. Add a tablespoon or two of water, if needed.
- Combine the eggs and pumpkin puree. Then add the spices. Finally, add the evaporated milk.
- Pour mixture into an unbaked pie shell and bake at 425° for 15 minutes. Then reduce the temperature to 350° and bake for 40-50 minutes.
Tips for Capturing Kitchen Moments:
- Capture movement and interaction (kids stirring, breaking eggs).
- Focus on details (flour on cheeks, hands reaching for ingredients).
- Use the natural light from your kitchen window instead of overhead lights.
- Get down to the child’s level for close-ups of tiny hands.
- Don’t worry if the scene isn’t tidy — clutter tells the story of real family life.
- Use a tripod to make sure you are included in some of the images!
If capturing these everyday moments at home sounds like something you’d love, I’d be happy to photograph your family cooking together or any other daily activity that tells your story.
