Looking for simple posing tips for moms? Keep reading!
You want to be in the photo with your babies. You deserve to be in the photo with your babies. And yet, you want to look your best in those photos.
What is it about a camera pointed at us that brings up any insecurities we might have about ourselves? I completely understand, and I’m a photographer who’s obsessed with making sure moms (including myself) get into the frame with their children.
So instead of shying away, I’m offering you some simple posing tips. Whether you’re having dad snap some photos for you on vacation, for Mother’s Day, or because it’s a Tuesday and you want photos with your kids, I’ve got you covered.
Oh, and one of my Seattle photography clients? Don’t worry, I help coach you through these things so you’re doing them naturally!
Ready for these posing tips? Let’s go!
The first posing tip for mom is to angle your body to the camera while avoiding the “double arm wrap.”
The most common thing moms do when posing with two or more kids is they stand between their children and wrap an arm around each child. When we are square with the camera, or our bodies are straight on, we look our widest. Not to mention adding on making ourselves wider by spreading our arms out to go around our children.
For a more flattering pose, turn towards one child and hug them into with both arms, ensuring your body is angled towards the camera. If you had multiple children let them wrap around you.
Don’t worry that you seem like you’re picking a favorite child or that someone will feel left out. You’ll still be all snuggled into each other. You can also, always switch directions of your hugs to mix up the poses.
Another tip is to get your faces up close to each other.
I like to tell families to forget about any personal bubbles when I’m photographing them. What feels like a natural gap when hugging someone, it will feel large in an image. To look more connected in your images, get those faces right up close, even touching.
For this posing tip, move behind your child, wrap your arms around them while bending forward and around to the side and smush your face into theirs for some snuggles and kisses. (See the photo above, for this gorgeous mama doing this pose).
Mom, you can tickle your child’s cheek with your nose, or go cheek to cheek with them to make sure you’re getting close enough.
Finally, the last posing tip is to get moving!
Keep your photos fun and get real smiles out of both you and your children when you get moving. Twirl them, dance, tickle them like crazy. You’ll forget you’re being photographed and so will your kids. The movement will make you feel (and thus look) less stiff and forced. The movement also creates beautiful shapes with your body.
That’s it. Three simple posing tips for mom and her children. Whether you try them out yourself or are preparing for your session with me, these tips will help you feel your best in front of the camera, all while giving you connected and beautiful photos with your kids.
Now you’re ready to hand off that camera, or book a family session, feeling confident that you will look your best!
Feeling more confident in having your photos taken? Contact me to grab a spot on my calendar. Or join my newsletter just for families. You’ll find monthly inspiration and tips (just like this post) on how to make the most out of your family photo sessions. Head to my portfolio below for more inspiration for posing with your kids.