Mommy Later

Branching Out Later in Life

Mamarazzi

Get in the Picture: Taking Mom Pics

By

mom picsSo in my previous post about mom pics, I gave you the “why”. Now I am going to share a few tips for looking your best. I will add here that of course some of the best photos ops are spontaneous so go with the flow, but don’t forget about those selfies too. They will cherish ALL pictures of you.

Here are 6 tips to help you look your best in those mom pics:

1. The “Oscar pose”

This one is pretty universal and easy for you to envision. Just look at pretty much every red carpet picture. Angle your body about three-quarters of the way toward the camera. The reason for this is that the frontal view is the least flattering. Make sure that you are standing straight with shoulders back. And if you are feeling sassy/cheeky, go ahead and put that hand on your hip for some mom pic attitude!

2. Be a swan

I still remember the girls night when I heard about this one. I tried it and it felt ridiculously awkward, but seriously, it works. Elongate your neck and push your face forward from your forehead with your chin slightly down. (Are you trying it yet? Feels weird, right?)

3. Sit up or Stand down

If you are sitting for the photo, try to make sure that the camera is above you. The act of looking up at the camera basically achieves the “swan pose” if you will.

When standing, the ideal position is camera below. This is especially important if you are doing a full body shot as this elongates the body.

4. Make up

OK, I get it. We are tired moms and we don’t always wear make up. It’s just that features are often washed out in photos so it does help to have some make up on to enhance them. If you are not typically a make-up person, at least do lips and eyes for more flattering mom pics.

5. Light up!

Soft light from a window or the yummy light at sunset are your friend. These will soften your face and avoid those funny tones. Another thing that helps is a white background if you have one. I once made an accidental discovery about one of my bathrooms while wearing an outfit from a friend. I stopped in the bathroom off our back hall to grab a shot to text her. (Mind you this room has no windows but a solar tube for light.) Much to my surprise, I ended up with some amazing photos when I angled the camera just right. Play around in your house and find the best spots, then encourage your kiddos there and get in the shot.

5. “Honey!”

Forget cheese. If you have kids that were taught this, then you know it gives a rotten smile. Turns out the hard “e” sound at the end of the word makes a much nicer smile. You can also put your tongue against the back of your teeth when you smile as this relaxes the face. Obviously the most natural expressions come from genuine laughter so play, have fun and capture a few giggles with your littles.

6. You got this!

As with anything in life, confidence (or lack thereof) shows. That desire to hide or run away from the camera? “Let it go. Let it go.” (Oops, sorry, too much Elsa around here lately.)

What I am saying is that this tip maybe should have been #1 on the list. Be brave and get out from behind the camera. Set it to take a burst so that you have lots to choose from. And most importantly, HAVE FUN!!!

Thoughts, questions, additional tips to share? Come on over and join us on Facebook!

Mom Photos: 3 Reasons to Get in the Picture

By

Mom Photos

Mom photos are not really high on my list. I love taking pictures of my children. They are cute and change in the blink of an eye. I am generally behind the camera in my happy place/comfort zone.

My kids try, but I am still faster than they are at dodging a camera pointed at me. I mean, if anyone gets it, I do. My body is not what it used to be. I am 20 pounds heavier with wrinkles and gray hairs. Daily showers have become a luxury. My braces came off pretty recently but I’m still stylin’ with a retainer. I spend most of my time in clothing that probably isn’t fit to be seen in public. (Though honestly I do go out frequently in said clothes.) With all of this going on, who want’s to be photographed? Why get in the picture when I am a hot mess?

Here are 3 reasons why we need mom photos:

 

1. Your kids want to see you in the picture!

Mom Photos
My daughter illustrated this beautifully for me one day when we were out to lunch. She’s only 2 and I took a quick shot of her across the table from me as a memento of our girls’ day out. When I showed it to her she was smiling until she saw it. Her words were, “Where’s mommy?” It took me by surprise. I wasn’t looking great that day but I wasn’t looking awful either. After flipping the camera around on my phone, I squeezed in beside her for a selfie. I got a great big smile from that one, so mom photo for the win!

2. No one else notices your flaws.

You may not believe me on this one, but really, they don’t. We are all more critical of ourselves than others. I cannot tell you how many times that I’ve seen a photo of myself and gone, “Ugh. Why do I take such awful pictures?” Only to have someone compliment the same photo and tell me how photogenic I am. They don’t notice those extra pounds, lines, grays or braces at all. Now the real beauty will be when I can do the same. Listen, I am not perfect here, just aware of my flaws both physical and mental!

3. One day photos will be all that your children have left.

Alright, I don’t mean to be morbid here, but it’s true. We live. We die. These are facts. Our children will cherish every photo of us like it is gold when we are gone. I realized one day in looking at photos from my family and childhood, most of the photos of my mom are at the kitchen sink. How perfect is that? I know that I spend half of my time there too so they are certainly real! I don’t notice much about her appearance other than that. She just looks like my mom and I am grateful for every stinking one of those mom photos, especially the last one taken of us together.

Mom photos are still not at the top of my list, but I do try to make an effort to slip out from behind the camera more often these days. I really have no excuse with the technology available to me, e.g. cell phones, digital cameras, tripods and selfie sticks. If you’re still hiding out behind the camera, check out this post for some posing positions. Get in the picture. Your kids will thank you. Come on over and post your mom pic in the Mommy Later community. We’d love to see you there!