Tips for Better Pics - of MOM

Do you have a gazillion pics of your kids, but few that include you? The Cool Moms I've featured struggle to find a recent photo of themselves. Caroline is almost 4 and I think I have one picture of just the two of us that I love. 

I asked Ashley, a great photographer, for some advice on capturing those frame-worthy moments. My tip, learned the hard way: Take a shower, fix your hair, put on make up. Your kids will always look great, so worry less about their outfit and spend the time on yourself. Read on for Ashley's great tips!

P.S. Don't you love her photos? You can see more of her work here. And no, that's not me in the photos - but isn't the little girl adorable?!

Having a family photo taken should not be a dreaded experience for a mom, but let’s face it, it almost always is. I photograph a lot of families and while it's always hard to get everyone looking good on the count of three, moms have a particularly trying time. Here are a few tips to make the shoot more enjoyable and create photographs that won’t make you cringe.

• Think Ahead: Planning ahead will allow you be comfortable in front of the camera. That’s why children always photograph so well, they have so few worries compared to adults!  Have toys around that you know your kids love so the photographer can use them in a pinch. Style your hair so that strands can’t make a run for it when you are in the middle of the action. Make sure the kids are dressed appropriately for the weather if shooting outside. 
• Posture and pose: It’s easy to forget to stand up straight with with your shoulders back when you have one child balanced on your hip and another child leaning against your knees. Use your core while holding a child so that you’re not leaning over to balance the weight of the baby. Slightly angle your body so that it's not parallel to the camera for a flattering angle and put your weight on your back leg to help improve posture.
• Clear Vision: If you can’t see the camera, the camera can’t see you. I know it's obvious but occasionally parents believe that their child’s head makes a great window when really it's better used as a wall.
• Look at the Camera:  If you and your child are in position, don’t be so concerned with making your kid smile. That’s the photographer’s job. I cannot tell you how many great group shots are ruined because the parents are looking at their children instead of at the camera. It's hard enough to snap a shot when the child has a natural smile but having to worry about other family members looking down at the child makes a group shot almost impossible.
• Lens Perspective: Whatever is closest to the lens will be the biggest in the photograph, proportionally speaking. If you are not so happy with the size of your upper arms, be sure that they are not the closest body part to the camera. If they are it will surely draw attention to that area of the body.

 

Photos via Ashley