Moms, it’s time for us to celebrate the Selfie! We are blessed that technology affords us the luxury of being able to take pictures any time any where. We no longer are depending on someone else being the shutterbug – we can turn the lens, be in control and be front and center – all at the same time. I have ten ways to improve – maybe even perfect your Mommy Selfies. Take advantage of this, moms – capture the candid, real life bed hair and sweet morning breath snuggles. This is our opportunity to freeze time, save a piece of history to be recalled much later – when we no longer can feel our baby’s breath on our shoulders, remember their chubby hands playing with our hair or when they smiled that one smile reserved for MOM.
- Get out of the bathroom and dressing room. We have seen enough pictures taken in the bathrooms across the world, with their cluttered sinks and dirty toilets. You don’t need to pose in front of a toothpaste splattered mirror – just click the button to turn the lens – and Voila! – You are free to roam and capture your Kodak moment when and where it naturally happens – and that is NOT in the bathroom or dressing room!
- Invite people – preferably friends, family or your kids. Don’t be a Solo Selfie – most experiences are more fun when shared with others, and the Selfie is no exception. So encourage your friends to gather around, have the kids climb in your lap or on your back. The more the merrier.
- Look at the background and the surroundings of your picture. Are you documenting history where it would normally take place? Don’t worry if there is a pile of laundry in the top right hand corner – or a vacuum cleaner behind you. At least you have proof that you washed your clothes and owned a household cleaning item – in case your mother-in-law ever asks! Just make sure that these things don’t become the focal point of your picture.
- Hold the camera slightly above eye level, shooting the picture from above. This angle will automatically make you look a little slimmer – as you are not shooting UP on your double chin… I am NOT saying YOU have one – I am just speaking from experience.
- Please snap a Selfie of you napping with the baby. It is even OK if you pretend to sleep. You aren’t fooling anyone – but it sure makes for a cute picture!
- Before you get all cozy next to someone – be sure to check for head lice! Remember that the Selfie has been blamed for the increased spread of head lice among high school kids. Ok – so I am not expecting you to dig through someone’s hair like a chimpanzee – I just thought it was a good opportunity to share a “sign of the times” factoid.
- Get outside during the morning sun light or late afternoon sunset. Try to avoid the mid-day, as it is not the best light for photography. But then again – if THAT is when life is happening for you – then just try to keep the light source in front of you and make the most of it.
- The optimal pose for the Mommy Selfie is either on the floor or seated with one or several subjects in your lap. You want to get all the heads at about the same level since the camera will be at an arm’s length distance, which is actually pretty close.
- Get in the habit of taking Mommy Selfies regularly. Document your baby’s growth monthly, capture every soccer pre-game warmup, or the weekly ballet rehearsals. Compile the pictures in a photo book and give it to your child as a special end-of-season gift, or just because.
- Have fun – and laugh. These pictures aren’t supposed to be posed, but rather snapshots of your everyday life – with all its perfect imperfections!
Dearest Mama,
I know you are SUPER busy taking care of me, making our home perfect, creating memories and teaching me all the important things in life. But please, while you are busy doing all that – please don’t forget to SLOW down and document our lives, our right-here-and-nows, our fleeting moments.
I hear you say: “no, let me take the picture because I am not dressed nicely” and “give me the camera, I am waiting to loose this baby weight before I will be in the picture.” Mama, please know that I want my life documented the way it is today, with all its smiles, laughter and even the tears.
You are my world, my beauty Queen, every woman I ever meet will be measured against YOU… so don’t wait to get in front of the lens, don’t hesitate to capture the moments with us – because you ARE one of the reasons why we laugh, why we have special times to savor and remember. Show the world that you are a part of it. Please document your participation, your role in our lives – so we have something to help us recall these beautiful memories later in life – when we share them with our children and our spouses.
All my love, your child
gianna borden says
wow, these are kind of funny, would have never thought of these! i am always taking selfies, with the kids mostly!
Katie @ Pick Any Two says
Love this! I need more snapshots of everyday life, even if that means bad hair days and tired eyes and all the other imperfections. It’s time we celebrate those true-to-life mommy selfies!
joyfully5 says
I rarely like the pictures that are taken of me, but I enjoy the pictures of my family and friends. I will, however, use the tip about pictures taken from above rather than below. That is a good one for me.
Alison says
I’m a big fan of taking kidfies – selfies with kids! To the point where my 2 year old actually grabs my phone and says , “Smile!” 🙂
Mama in the Now says
Alison – that’s so sweet! I love the look on the kids’ faces when they see themselves in the phone – “oh hey – look at that cute kid!”
My next step is to make a photo book of all my selfies – they drive my husband nuts! 🙂
welcomesue says
love your ideas and practicality! feel free to link up on tuesday’s cuz my readers would appreciate you. my kids say i take terrible pics and they are mostly right!
Mama in the Now says
Thank you so much Sue!
Lauren Riemer says
Love these ideas!
Anya N. says
I LOVE this. I’m often the one behind the camera and am often left out of the photos. You want something done, you’ve got to do it yourself!
America S. says
Cute ways to improve some of the WORST pics people take! I love the tip about choosing the right sunlight! I always look like I am squinting and washed out! Thanks!