Let’s face it, moms—you’re already the unofficial family photographer. You’ve got your phone camera in one hand, snacks in the other, and you’re always ready to capture those sweet (and sometimes chaotic) moments. But if you’re anything like me, there are days when you snap 300 photos, only to find two that are “kinda cute.” So today, I’m here to share a few of my personal favorite momtography photo tips that will help you create beautiful photos of your kids—because yes, you can take frame-worthy shots with whatever camera you have on hand.
1. Get Down to Their Level
One of the easiest ways to make photos of your kids feel more connected is by simply squatting down to their height. I know, your knees didn’t sign up for this, but trust me—it’s worth it. You’ll capture their world from their perspective, and those big beautiful eyes will be front and center. There is a reason that I get down during our shoots – it’s way more engaging than the typical mom angle shot.
You can see how just me getting down a bit, changed the whole feel of the photo.
2. Rule of Thirds: Not Just for Fancy Photographers
I’m going to let you in on a little secret: the rule of thirds isn’t just something we throw around to sound technical. It’s actually a game changer. Picture a tic-tac-toe grid on your screen that divides it into thirds. Place your kiddo at one of the intersections of those lines instead of smack in the center, and boom—you’ve instantly created a photo with some balance and a little more story to tell. It’s more science than art, but it works!
Centering also works (see image above) but make sure to try out different positions and see what you like best!
3. Let the Light Work for You (Put that editing app away)
Natural light is your best friend, and soft, indirect light (like from a window or in some shade with light coming in) can make your photos look like you paid someone else to take them. Always, always, find some good, bright natural light and place your child next to or infront of it – make sure to turn off any indoor lighting or flash! The most important part about any photograph, in my opnion, is the lighting. The better the light, the less you’ll want to edit it! Bonus indoor tip: During the golden hour, try putting a window that is streaming in with golden light behind your child so the sunlight wraps around them, creating a dreamy, halo-like effect. This will work best with another, not as bright window illuminating the front of them a bit.
4. Fill the Frame with What You Love
If your kiddo’s laughter melts your heart, zoom in on that big smile. If it’s their tiny, chubby hands, fill the frame with those. Don’t be afraid to focus on the little details that make them who they are, leaving any distracting backgrounds out of the picture. Trust me, these shots are worth more than a thousand words—or at least 230 “aww” reactions on Facebook. And, one other tip about zooming, when you have the space, take a few steps back from your child, and then zoom in, you’ll get a better effect than just standing where you need to without zooming.
5. Don’t Be Afraid of imperfection
Real talk: posed pictures are are sometimes necessary, but candid shots are where the real magic happens. Let your little ones be themselves—running, jumping, or even making those mischievous faces that perfectly capture their personality. You’ll create a connection in the photo that tells a story about their little world—so full of life and energy (and sticky fingers and frowns, too!)
So, the next time your kids are running wild in the backyard or building a fort in the living room, grab your camera and try photographing them a little differently and see if you like it!. And hey, if the photos aren’t perfect, that’s okay too. They’ll still be memories you’ll treasure—and that’s what really matters.
