The best Mother’s Day gift
Moms are everyday superheroes. By superhero, I mean caretaker, driver, domestic goddess, working woman, wife, single mom, and ultimate multitasking machine. That list doesn’t even come close to the realities of what it means to be a mom. There is joy, worry, pride, and unconditional love! All these amazing attributes come to a woman once she becomes a mother. So, what is the best Mother’s Day gift? Read further to find out.
With Mother’s Day right around the corner, I am reminded of another role moms consistently play—family photographer. I have hundreds, if not thousands, of pictures of my family with one nagging feature: my absence. I am there; I am taking the photo. To me, this idea that I am there is a sweet one. I am taking the photo. I am watching, capturing those moments I think we will want to see in years to come. These are moments I will hold dear. Years from now, when my child looks at a picture I took, I hope there is a moment of appreciation and comfort when he realizes I snapped the photo. I took the photo because I was watching, and the scene made me happy! I had to have a picture of it. However, a recurring theme is my not being in the picture. My son will want to see me too. Mom, get in the picture and give yourself the best Mother’s Day gift!
Using the timer to get a great group photo.
While setting the timer to get a great group photo is not always realistic, it is a great way to include yourself in a few shots. Obviously, there are some situations where a timer will just not cut it. If you have very young children and your day is chaotic, it is not a realistic endeavor to put any moment on hold for 3 or 10 seconds. I know a lot can happen in 10 seconds when you are with children. However, every once in a while, there are calmer moments. You and your family are at the right place at the right time, literally and emotionally. Set that timer on your iPhone! Put that sucker on a tripod or against a steady surface, and set the timer! Watch it count down! Fake a candid photo or look at the camera and give it your best smile! I promise, with the automatic burst feature on your timed photos, you will end up with some surprisingly wonderful photos of your family with you in it!
Using the timer to get a great group photo.
While setting the timer to get a great group photo is not always realistic, it is a great way to include yourself in a few shots. There are some situations where a timer will not cut it. If you have very young children and your day is chaotic, it is not a realistic endeavor to put any moment on hold for 3 or 10 seconds. I know a lot can happen in 10 seconds when you are with children. However, every once in a while, there are calmer moments. You and your family are at the right place at the right time, literally and emotionally. Set that timer on your iPhone! Put that sucker on a tripod or against a steady surface, and set the timer! Watch it count down! Fake a candid photo or look at the camera and give it your best smile! I promise, with the automatic burst feature on your timed photos, you will end up with some surprisingly wonderful photos of your family with you in it!
Love the timer?
Get a remote shutter release, or get out your headphones!
So, now you love the timed photo (check out this blog post for more tips). You can set up your phone and the timer, and if you could only be where you need to be and press the shutter button all at once, you could get some quality shots! Well, you can. There are a couple of amazing options here. You can use your headphones’ volume button as a remote shutter release. It has a limited range since they must be plugged in, but can you imagine the possibilities already? You can do it, whether holding your sweet baby or trying to capture playtime in all its glory.
From personal experience, I can say that it doesn’t take long for babies to notice that you have something they want in your hand. So, if your child is old enough to notice and too young to be deterred, you may need a remote shutter that uses Bluetooth to take the picture. If you have a tripod or a good place to set up your phone with a great view after you get the remote shutter, there is no excuse not to be in the photo. Set it up and click away. Take candid pictures of your everyday life or great portraits of you and the kiddos together. I love seeing my mom in photos when she was me, taking care of my little one. Your children will also love seeing you, especially if they decide to start a family of their own one day. The understanding you finally have of your parents when you become one is humbling and an introspective adventure.
My mom and I
Even though this was a cell phone photo (back when cell phone photos were not very good), I still love this photo of my little one and my mom.
Love your image.
I think some moms are quite happy to take the picture, perhaps judging photos of themselves a little too harshly. If you are one of these moms, this is a friendly reminder that you are a lovely, beautiful woman. When I see photos of my mom, I think she is beautiful and wish I had more. I see a woman in the photo my age who is going through the same family milestones and hardships I am going through now. I love the woman in the photo; I wish I knew her as a friend. I’m glad I know her as my mom.
Get as many moms in a photo as you can! The more moms, the merrier!
If you are fortunate enough to have your grandma, mom, and children in the vicinity, get a picture! There are many obvious reasons for doing this, but perhaps everyone must remember. Get those moms and grandmas in the photo. Have a portrait of the women who raised you, influenced you, and loved you more than they loved themselves. Take joy in the features you share, like a smile or eye shape. Or take joy in that motherhood is not based on whether someone gave birth to you or looks like you, but that they loved and cared for you. If you were lucky enough to have had that love, then take joy in it.
Maternity Photo Session
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention expectant moms. Whether with a swelling belly or preparing for adoption, awaiting a new member of the family is life-changing. This time in your life deserves documentation. Consider a lifestyle photoshoot if posing for maternity photos is not your thing. Hire a photographer you trust and have them come to your home and document the little things about your life that mean so much in retrospect. Let the photographer capture a moment when it’s still just you and your partner or you and your first child. Or let the photographer document the changing landscape of your home, like decorating the nursery.
If posing for a maternity shoot sounds fun, talk to your photographer well before you are expecting. You need to wait until you are showing, but there is no need to wait till you are 38 and a half weeks to have your session. If you are anticipating a bundle of joy through adoption, there are many, many beautiful moments leading up to the birth or arrival of your child. There is as much preparation, anticipation, nervousness, and joy to document. Motherhood is as beautiful and diverse in its many forms as moms are themselves; all deserve documentation and storytelling.
Fresh 48 Photography
When your child comes into the world, consider doing a Fresh 48 session. Have your photographer come to the hospital and document the awesomeness of delivery and your afterglow following your child’s birth. The afterglow includes sweat, tears, smiles, IVs, and hospital beds. As a photographer, I can say it’s unique for every experience, and those are some of the most beautiful parts to document. You can have the photographer in the room during delivery or C-section if you are comfortable. Capturing the wonder in a sibling’s eyes and that first interaction in that relationship is unique.
Again, Mom, get in the picture!
This blog has focused on the idea that we, as moms, need to remember that our visual history will be valued and treasured. Challenge yourself to be in more pictures. Have your partner do the main part of the picture-taking on your next outing. Use the timer on your iPhone and explore ways to use the camera on your phone to tell the stories you want to tell. And honestly, this is the best Mother’s Day gift you can give to yourself.
Thank you!
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Happy Mother’s Day!
