We’ve seen the blog articles flying around social media urging us moms to “get in the photo”.

It’s important! It is. You do need to be a visual part of your family’s history.  So we’ve established that we need to do it.  It’s vital for us and our children.

We’ve also acknowledged that it’s hard for multiple reasons. Those reasons are really only excuses. We don’t always like the way we look in photos, we want to lose a few pounds before we make it happen, we don’t like our clothes, makeup, hair, we are not artsy enough to do it or can’t take a good photo, or it’s just too much work.

So, see there, we’ve covered all the excuses and gotten those out of the way.  However, we’ve also decided that regardless of ALL THOSE EXCUSES, we ARE going to do it.

Yes. We are going to get in the photo.

Ok…

But how?! How do us normal busy moms make that happen?

Maybe we don’t feel artsy or majorly skilled with a fancy camera and we don’t know all the secrets of the pros.

Well, friend, I’ve got you covered!

I’ve asked several of my photographer friends to help me out. We all have the same struggles with getting in the photo, but we are going to let you in on some of our simple secret tricks.

So no more excuses, mom.  Let’s commit to doing this. To help you make that happen…

Here are 6 Ways for Mom to Get in the Photo.

1. YOU’VE JUST GOT TO ASK.

This is probably the easiest one because it takes little effort. Ask someone around you at the restaurant, ask your partner, ask a friend.  I’m sure there’s another mom around you that understands and would love to take the photo. Better yet, be the person who asks other moms “Do you want me to take a photo with you in it?” I do that all the time and they always say “yes!”.

There was an article that I read recently that had a message to husbands asking them to take photos of us moms. I loved it. But here’s one thing that you need to realize. You have to remind them and always ask. Many husbands just aren’t like us who constantly feel the need to take photos.  And why should they…we’ve always got that part covered! So a gentle reminder or request when you want it doesn’t hurt.

All these photographer friends pictured below set up the shot and had someone else click the shutter. They used family members, children, and spouses. (pictured left to right – Precious Stones Photography, Simpson Photography, Photography By Kelli Jo, Jenny Starkey Photography, Kristi Lee Photography, Kellyn Wilson Photography)

2. SET A TIMER

Whether you have a fancy camera or not, most of them have a self-timer.  Find a spot in your house that has great light and have some fun.

Ashley from Ashley Harrison Photography says, “I used to not get in the frame much, but am trying to do more self-portraits with my kids now. It’s not always easy… I really had to boogie to get back on that hospital bed, holding my baby, after I pushed the shutter while trying to beat the time! I think that when I use the timer and really have to hurry to get in the shot, my kids get really excited about it and it becomes sort of like a fun little game. It makes it easy to get images of them smiling and having fun with me.”

3. USE A REMOTE, A SELFIE STICK, OR TRIPOD

There comes a time, when you just have to do what you have to do to make it happen.  Don’t be ashamed of the selfie stick. I’m not and honestly, the angle you get from a selfie stick is usually pretty flattering.  I also have a small tripod for my cell phone and a cheap little Bluetooth remote that I use.  It’s that simple.  You can also snag a very inexpensive remote for you fancy camera too. That’s what Cyrissa, of Immerse Photography, did.  She planned something fun for her boys, set up her camera on a tripod, and held a remote. They posed, but she also caught some more candid moments too.

And Kelly, of Lifetime of Clicks Photography, used her remote on Christmas morning. If you look closely, you can even see it, but you know, that’s ok! She was getting in the photo and that’s what matters.

4. GET CREATIVE AND MAKE IT A PROJECT

Bethany,  of Bethany Green Photography, tapes her phone to the ceiling. Yes, you read that correctly. She gets some amazing photos.  To get in the photo, all she uses is her iPhone! C’mon! See, no excuses! Plan to do this once a month or so and make it a game. You’ll have the memories and your children will love it too.

5. BUY THE PHOTO PASS AT AMUSEMENT PARKS

I do this all the time. Yes, it’s a little extra on ticket price, but it’s worth it. You can have fun with it too…especially if you go on a Disney trip. I make sure to set the expectation with my family that we are going to take lots of photos when I buy it. I usually try to stop at most of the photographers around the park. I wanted to make it fun, so we didn’t just pose formally each time either, we tried to make it more creative.  It’s an expense you won’t regret.  I even did it at Dollywood this year.

6. GET AN INTERVAL TIMER REMOTE FOR YOUR CAMERA

This year for Christmas, I tried something different and now I’m addicted.  I have always regretted not being in the photos on Christmas morning.  I snap tons of my kids, but I’m never in one. Never. Well, this year was different.  Some cameras have an interval timer, but mine does not. So I invested $14 in one for Christmas day.  I set it up to take a photo every 10 seconds. It was FANTASTIC! The morning was documented. I was able to be in the moment and in the photo.  It was perfect. There is even a little beep that happens right before it snaps a photo (you can turn it off if needed), so I told everyone to look and smile for this photo.

So if you want to get in the photo, it’s going to be up to you to make it happen.  You’ll have to take the initiative to do it.  It’s true and that stinks, but just do it.  You won’t regret it and your children adore seeing the photos of mom loving on them.  I don’t think that I have ever heard someone say, “gosh, I wish I had taken fewer photos.”

Well, you’ve decided to get in the frame, so now you need to be equipped with the knowledge to take a good photo.  Drop your email below and I’ll send you my 10 tips for taking better photos and you’ll get access to my private Facebook group in which I offer photography tips and tricks.  And remember mom…#getinthephoto

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