Photo Tip Friday: Tips for Taking Great Mother's Day Photos

by Mary Denman    @MaryDenman

Throughout the year, we have very special holidays to celebrate those we love. 

In the US, Mother's Day is this Sunday, 8 May 2016. 

Often, that means family get togethers with mom. It's an opportunity to photograph your loved ones and document your time spent together. 

So today's tips are designed to help you record Mother's Day and other special family get togethers! 

Let's get started. 

My family, smiling for the camera...

TIP 1: Take a group shot with everyone there! 

Here we are, acting nice for the camera. Everyone is looking forward and it's a great family portrait. (I set the camera on a tripod and had someone else take the picture.)

But my family can't stay serious for long....

My goofy family

TIP 2: Take a goofy group shot! 

My kids get along so well and they love to mess around. 

This shot makes me so happy and I smile when I see it. 

Promise a goofy shot after a serious one and they will cooperate more easily. Especially little children. 

Food, glorious food...

TIP 3: Take behinds the scene shots of things like the food. 

Do you have traditional meals for certain holidays? 

Then document it! Pictures of food evoke great memories later on. 

You think you'll always remember, but you may not. Take the shot! 

Pictures with cake and presents

TIP 4: If there's a time of celebration or presents, take pictures during that too! 

Here, my father-in-law was celebrating his birthday. I got a sweet shot of him with his cake and then opening his presents. 

These are a treasure to me now. 




TIP 5: Take individual pictures of each guest with your mom.

We did this with my father-in-law's birthday because he was in hospice care at the time and we couldn't do a group shot.

I'm so thankful I took all of these. 

You can see how happy he is that we came to celebrate with him. I really love the picture of him resting against my husband's shoulder and closing his eyes. 

Pull your camera out while you're with your family and take pictures to help remember the gathering. 


And since it's Mother's Day, here's a portrait of my mom...done by my sister. 

Happy Mother's Day mom...I will always love you. I think about you every day and I miss you. But I'm thankful for the time we had. 

TWEETABLE

Tips for Taking Great Mother's Day Photos (click to tweet)

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