A while back I was going through my son’s childhood photos when I realized something was missing. That something turned out to be a someone — and that someone was Me. I have so many pictures of my son by himself, and with his Dad and other relatives. Since I was almost always the one taking the pictures, I’m hardly in any of our family photos. I decided I wasn’t going to make that same mistake with my 8-year old and have some tips to share to help us all put Mom in the photo from now on, along with some great photo gifts for mom.
Disclosure: I’m proud to be partnering with CVS Pharmacy to help spread the word about their photo services. All opinions expressed are my own, and all product claims or program details shared should be verified at CVS.com or with the appropriate manufacturers.
I know I’m not alone in this. As moms we make so many sacrifices. You put everyone before yourself which is why you find yourself more often than not the person “behind” the camera.
This Mother’s Day, CVS is encouraging moms everywhere to step out from behind the camera and put themselves in more family photos. With Mother’s Day just around the corner, now is the perfect time to find ways to #PutMominThePhoto and be captured in family memories. Your photos don’t have to be professional quality. Most of mine aren’t. Just capture the moment! Will you join me?
Ways to Put Mom in the Photo
Take a selfie. I’m starting out with my favorite. Gather your kids close, stretch out your arm, and snap a selfie with your smartphone. I take selfies pretty much everywhere we go. The where and when doesn’t matter. Just take the shot. Those candid pics are priceless.
Don’t be afraid to ask a stranger to take the picture. No matter where you are, there is probably someone more than happy to take a picture for you. Whenever I see someone taking a picture of their family, I offer to let them be in it. They almost always offer to do the same for you and if they don’t – don’t be a afraid to ask.
This was taken last with my son last Thanksgiving in New Orleans. I’m trying to make up for all the pictures I’m missing of us together when he was younger. He “might” be getting sick of all the photo request, but he’s good about accommodating his mom.
A stranger was nice enough to take this picture of us out at John’s Pass while my Mom was visiting last month.
Get out your tripod and DSLR or prop up your phone. Chances are both your DSLR and smartphone have a timer option. When is the last time you used it? Now is the time to seize the moment!
Have professional photos done. I know this may seem obvious, but last fall I realized it had been year (I’m not kidding, literally years) since we had professional photos done. You don’t have to spend a fortune. There are often specials offered throughout the year. You can just buy the digital photos with license to use and print them at your local CVS Photo center.
Gosh, I love these kids.
Trade places with your significant other. Take turns with your spouse or significant other when you are out taking pictures. The kids might even want to get in on the action and use the camera!
Photo Gifts for Mom
When looking for that perfect Mother’s Day Gift, be sure to check out CVS Photo. CVS Photo offers a variety of unique and affordable photo gifts for mom that are customizable to meet your needs – from prints, to photo books, to wall and home décor. Choose from a variety of project templates and style options to suit your unique style.
Check out these Mother’s Day photo gifts that I just had made:
The 16 Oz. Grande Photo Mug is perfect for the coffee or tea lover. It is adorned with one of my favorite Disney shots and is such a useful gift that’s great for anyone who likes to take a hot or cold beverage on-the-go. I put together a simple coffee lover gift basket.
I made this Keepsake Box for my Mom and absolutely love how it turned out. It’s such a lovely stand-alone gift, but is also perfect for gifting jewelry gift or other small trinkets.
My Step-Mom has several small plates on display in her home and this personalized Photo Plate will be such a nice edition. Grandma Gail goes to Disney with us a lot. I think she’ll love this!
Procrastinate much? Same Day Photo Cards are just what you need! I love that CVS Photo has a large selection of personalized Photo Cards that can be ready for pick-up the very same day.
Making personalized photo products on CVS Photo is easy. You can design personalized photo products and gifts on CVS.com/photo, print photos directly from your camera roll or Facebook account via the CVS Pharmacy Mobile app, use an in-store KODAK Picture Kiosk to order photos while shopping at your local CVS Pharmacy, or choose to ship the products directly to your home. There are a variety of convenient shipping options, including free same-day in-store pickup, free ship-to-store, and ship-to-home – so you can choose the option that works best for you!
Don’t you love all these photo gifts for mom?! I hope you’ll join me in stepping out from behind the camera more and make sure your favorite family photos include your beautiful face!
This is such a timely post, with regards to Mother’s Day being so close.
I like your list and your approach to getting yourself in the picture!
Guilty as charged! Not nearly enough photos with me in them. I think part of the problem is I’m the family photographer too.
I’ve always hated being in photos but lately I realized how little I have of my mom and my grandparents I want to be in way more now! Would love a family photo as a gift!
That is so true! Most of the time that I am in the photo with my kiddos, it is a selfie. The shots of you and your daughter are so sweet. ANdI am glad that your son will still oblige you. My 13yo boy is equally reticent but I can usually cajole him into at least one.
🙂
Traci
I always buy Photopass for Disney so I can actually be in the pictures, otherwise. Yep no pics of me!!
This is so true. Fir a long time there were bi pic of me.now I try to take mire.
I have used CVS photo services many times and they came out so nice. My favorite was a 1000 piece puzzle of my sisters and I for my mom and she loved it. They really make some nice photo gifts.
My daughter always let’s me in her photos. She knows how much I love it!
You are so right about what a huge issue this is. My Dad died last year and it was so hard to find photos of him and I together as adults as I AM the family photo taker. So I have many photos of him and everyone else. It hurts, it truly does. Someday if our own kids don’t have photos with us in them it will hurt them too. We have to change it! Thanks for your efforts on this!
Lovely photos! I don’t usually take selfies because I am camera shy. But I have a gazillion photos of the kids and grandkids. My treasures!