One of my favorite things is seeing moms in photos with their children. But sometimes even the best-intentioned spouses can’t be… good behind the camera. So! In association with Aura Frames — just in time for Mother’s Day — here are 12 tips for taking beautiful photos of the mothers in your life…
1. Be on the lookout for candid moments. The quickest way to become a great photographer is to simply keep an eye out for the sweet moments. Kids move fast, so don’t hesitate: grab your phone and shoot.
2. You don’t always need faces. Photos of feet, hands, or people from behind can be charming and tell a story on their own.
3. Take LOTS of photos. Seriously, pick 30. One is bound to be good and then you can pick your favorite. You can also use the “live photo” mode. It will capture a few seconds before and after taking the photo. You can go back later and choose the best frame, also known as the one where no one was blinking.
4. Take photos of the sights. If there’s a view, get out that camera. Each. Single. Time.
5. Move the camera. Placing the camera above eye level often makes faces look brighter (think: fewer shadows) and more attractive. Also, move around while taking photos. Different angles can make a big difference!
6. Remember hugs. “When I lost my mom, I realized I had a finite number of photos with her,” my friend Liz Libré once told me. “I want pictures of my arms around my own children, my body touching them. I want to be represented in my camera roll.” Same thing, my God.
7. Capture the daily routine too. Photographing the activities you do all the time (running errands, taking a child to school, helping to tie shoelaces) can look real and beautiful.
8. Play with light. The golden hour, morning or evening, is always soft and magical. If you’re indoors, turn off ceilings and move toward natural light by the windows.
9. Try black and white. If the lighting is uneven or the colors don’t sound right, switch to black and white; It instantly looks classic. We do this especially on photographs taken at night.
10. Offer to take photos with mom friends. Parenting takes a village, and it’s so nice to remember the times you raised your kids together.
11. Perfection is not necessary. Even a blurry photo can become an all-time favorite.
12. Enjoy the photos! Don’t let them go to waste on your phone, enjoy all the beauty with it. I highly recommend it aura digital frameswhich allows you to easily share photos from multiple phones (you can invite friends and family through the app) and display them in an ever-changing carousel. My mom, my dad, my sister, my aunt, my cousin and we all have Aura Frames in our homes and help us feel part of the daily lives of others. Frames are one of those things that bring so much joy and would make a very meaningful gift for Mother’s Day, don’t you think? xoxo
Bonus for all readers: get $25 off this aura frame with code CUPOFJO, valid until May 13.
Now, what would you add? We’d love to hear your photography tips. Thank you, Aura! xo
(Photos in this post by Joanna Goddard, Alison Piepmeyer, Jannelle Sanchez, selena ma, Erin Jang, Julia Robbs, Merie Subryan, Lea Finkand Jenny Rosenstrach. Photos of Aura’s frame at the end by Julia Robbs. This post was sponsored by Aura Frameswhose digital frames we have loved and used for years. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Cup of Jo.)
