Documenting Motherhood – My Challenge For You

Documenting Motherhood – My Challenge For You

Mar 17, 2018 | APNPI Community, For Parents, Photography Tips for Parents

Written by: Lizzy McMillan

Photo: Lizzy McMillan, CPP www.MomentoStudios.com

 

Every January is met with a host of New Year’s resolutions, goals, good intentions and promises to ourselves that we will “do better this year.” Many of those well-intended resolutions have already been put on the backburner. We fall back in to the familiarity of daily routines and succumb to the organized chaos of raising young children. I often joke that our family is a circus, and I’m attempting to be the ringleader most days, perhaps you can relate!

 

Photo credit: Shannon Lee, QNP, www.ShannonLeePhotography.com

 

This often means that you revert to putting your children’s needs before your own, as mothers often do. You spend late nights rocking babies, evenings shuttling kids between activities and weekends juggling play dates and birthday parties. There are only so many hours in the day, so it can be difficult to carve out time just for you.

 

Photo: Lizzy McMillan, QNP, CPP www.MomentoStudios.com

 

There is no doubt about it- this season of life is hard. Tiring. Often lonely. As moms, we are inundated with so much information, opinions, and decisions about parenting, it is akin to drinking from a fire hose. It is easy to allow self-doubt to creep in to our daily thoughts, and fears of “not being the perfect mom” to fester and grow. I can guarantee you, the way you see yourself as a mom is very different than the way your children see you. While you may focus on your imperfections, your children see you as their hero.

 

Photo credit: Liana McCorkle, QNP, www.littlelullabyphotography.com

 

This is where my 2018 challenge for you comes in.

Can you believe this year is almost a quarter of the way over? I can almost guarantee that your phone (or even your “big girl camera”) is filled with snapshots of your children. No doubt, you have captured photos from the fun adventures and silly moments from the first few months of this year. But mom, I have a question for you: how many of those snapshots are YOU IN?

 

You are a main character in your children’s family story. Your children NEED to see YOU in their pictures.

 

 

Photo credit: Liana McCorkle, QNP, www.littlelullabyphotography.com

 

As a professional photographer, I often hear the laundry list of excuses from moms about why they can’t or don’t want to be in portraits. I want to share some of the most common excuses, and provide some insight that will hopefully inspire you to make a change this year.

“I have 15 pounds of ‘baby weight’ I need to lose first.”

Growing and birthing a baby is no easy feat. Your body is transformed before your eyes, and your once taught-skin is now soft and scarred. You are frustrated that your favorite jeans are still too tight, and your face is round.

Your child does not see the baby weight that you are struggling with. When he looks at you, he sees home. He sees your warm, cozy lap to crawl into. He sees a soft bosom to rest his head, and listen to your heartbeat. He needs to see you in his pictures.

 

Photo: Lizzy McMillan, CPP www.MomentoStudios.com

 

“I haven’t had my hair done in months. I need to get a color and cut first.”

You look in the mirror and see roots that need a touch up. You see scraggly, split ends that desperately need a trim and blow out. You see the gray hairs sneaking their way in to your once perfectly maintained mane.

Your daughter sees your soft brown curls that match her own. She loves the way you snuggle and give her tickles with the ends of your ponytail as she giggles and asks for more. But mostly, she loves twirling your hair between her fingers as she gazes up at you while nursing. She needs to see you in her pictures.

 

Photo credit: Liana McCorkle, QNP, www.littlelullabyphotography.com

 

“I look so tired”

“The baby hasn’t slept through the night yet. I have huge bags under my eyes. I’ll wait a few months until we’re both sleeping better so I don’t look so tired.”

When your son falls and scans the playground for you, he doesn’t see the “tired” on your face. His eyes lock with yours, and he sees your soft, reassuring smile telling him he’s OK. He dusts himself off, and is back on his way. He does not see the worry or the bags under your eyes. He looks at you and sees eyes that sparkle with your love, and are the same shade of hazel-green as his own. He needs to see you in his pictures.

 

Photo credit: Shannon Lee, QNP, www.ShannonLeePhotography.com

 

“Money is tight right now. We will take pictures next month/fall/spring etc. ”

Finances and budget vary for every family. I am not suggesting you put yourself or your family in a financial strain. My goal of this challenge is to encourage you to be in your family’s visual story- not just a cheerleader from the sidelines. That may mean tossing the camera at your partner, or setting your camera on a timer. I also want to encourage you to schedule a professional portrait session, or to find a way to include it in your family budget this year.

 

Photo credit: Mary Kriss, QNP, www.MaryKrissPhotography.com

 

The professional portraits and daily snapshots are your children’s visual history. They need to see you in their childhood portraits. Twenty years from now, your son will look at the portraits and see the love you gave unselfishly that shaped him into a man. Your daughter will treasure the images of your journey through motherhood as she begins her own.

 

Photo credit: Mary Kriss, QNP, www.MaryKrissPhotography.com

 

Your family history is happening right now.

My challenge to you is to get IN your photos. Tomorrow is not guaranteed, so ditch the excuses. Do it for your son. Do it for your daughter. Most importantly, do it for yourself, because YOU are the glue that holds that family-circus together. One day those pictures will be all your children have left of you.

 

Lizzy McMillan is an APNPI Qualified Newborn Photographer, PPA Certified Professional Photographer, and APNPI Ambassador with a boutique maternity and newborn studio in Downtown Mesa, Arizona. She has specialized in newborn portraiture for nearly a decade and has photographed over 1200 newborns. Her extensive work with newborn twins, triplets, quadruplets and quintuplets has set her apart in the photography industry, garnered international acclaim and has earned her the apt moniker “The Multiples Whisperer™”. Lizzy is passionate about documenting family history and preserving the important moments in her clients’ lives. When she’s not snuggling newborns or teaching other photographers the art of photographing multiples, she and her husband are usually busy wrangling their three children or watching The Office on Netflix.

For more about Lizzy McMillan and her work, visit www.momentostudios.com

Valentine Themed Photos

Valentine Themed Photos

Feb 11, 2018 | Latest Trends, Photography Tips for Parents

Written by: Amy Tripple and Heidi Peters

It’s that time of year when our thoughts turn to chocolate, hearts… and kisses. Valentine’s day is just around the corner and we wanted to share a few ways to mark the occasion.

These ideas are simple, quick and inexpensive. (Who has time to build a complicated set? We’d rather spend our time snuggling up with our loved ones!) Grab a few simple items from around the house and off you go!

1. Paper hearts

A couple of sheets of colored paper and a clear section of floor is all you need to make this simple scene. Bonus points: let your kids do the cutting – it will keep them busy and it’s great practice for those fine motor skills!

 

2. Hugs and Kisses

Cutest thing ever? Qute possibly. Put siblings together for a snuggle, or plant a big, wet juicy one on your little kid. We’ve seen this taken to extremes with babies entirely covered with red lipstick marks. And yeah, it’s actually really adorable.

 

 

3. Candy Hearts

Don’t know about you, but for us, seeing a picture of these little candy hearts triggers a sweet taste in our memories. So simple. So iconic. So fun. Available everywhere. Cheap. And you can eat them after they have been photographed!

 

4. Red Balloons

Kids. Love. Balloons.

 

We hope this inspires you to mark the day in your own way. Other ideas for simple props: fresh flowers, paper flowers, heart-shaped doilies, ribbons, chocolate hearts, valentine’s cards, red crayons, glitter or sequins!

Amy Tripple and Heidi Peters are award-winning photographers. Their work has appeared in Parents Magazine, US Weekly, People, The Chicago Tribune and Professional Photographer Magazine. They created Shoot Along to give themselves structure and accountability to capture their own families and decided it would be a great concept to share with other parents.

What began as a personal project has grown into a friendly and rewarding passion, offering support and instruction to parents on six continents. The goal of Shoot Along is to give parents the tools they need to document their families through photography.

Over 3,500 parents have taken part in Shoot Along since it started in 2014.

For more exciting information about Shoot Along, visit www.ShootAlong.com

Shoot Along – Taking beautiful images of your children

Shoot Along – Taking beautiful images of your children

Jan 2, 2018 | Photography Tips for Parents

Written by:  Cara Hall

My journey with my camera has been a lifelong passion, one that I come back to over and over no matter where else life takes me.  Like many other photographers, I honed my skills and opened up a business, partly because I was obsessed with photography, and partly because it seemed like a great way to fund my passions and desires to buy my dream camera equipment.  It was an unfortunate paradox then to realize that I was spending so much energy on providing beautiful images for my clients, while being negligent in getting out the camera for my own family, and had little to nothing of my own children!

When I saw another photographer mention Shoot Along in 2015, I joined right away, I was eager to have beautiful images of my own family.  My skills were mainly as a studio photographer, under controlled lighting and controlled sets.  Lifestyle imagery and natural light was wayyy out of my comfort zone!  Needless to say, with the purpose, the guidance, and a community to tap into and interact with, I took the challenges and pushed myself out of my comfort zone… the results?  Images that I CHERISH and would never have taken on my own!

So if you’re still reading, you’re likely a lot like me in that you just LOVE images of your babies and your family.  Whether you’re new to owning a camera, or have had one for a while but haven’t gotten around to learning all those functions at your finger tips, or maybe you’re just stale in your photos and looking for something more.  Shoot Along 2018 is a great program for those looking to learn and improve, and to purposefully build a collection of beautiful images of your family!

If you’re interested in more information about Shoot Along 2018, visit here:  www.shootalong.com

Below are some of my favs from my Shoot Along journey in 2015.  🙂

 

 

Hi everyone, thanks for reading my post. Since 2015, I’ve continued to follow various challenges to keep photos of my family front and centre in my life and I just get so much joy from looking at these images. I’m also a big advocate that Moms need to get in front of the camera and have their photos taken too…  but if you’re like me, too shy, too busy, etc etc, then selfies with my kids is the answer and currently the only way I’m ever photographed. For me, it’s the best way! 🙂

Cara is the owner/photographer at Cafe Bebe Photography.  She’s also a proud team member of APNPI, and proud mama of 2 amazing children.

 

 

Take Better Photos of Baby

Take Better Photos of Baby

Jun 15, 2017 | Photography Tips for Parents

Written by: Amy Tripple and Heidi Peters

Babies are simply scrumptious to photograph, whether it be a with dslr or an iphone. Creating bright, beautiful pictures is something any parent can achieve. Here are tips from two professional photographers that will work with any camera:

Pick your time

Babies are easiest to photograph when they are fed, dry, warm and content. Grab your camera when you and your baby are relaxed. Let your baby ‘do their thing’ while you simply enjoy a few minutes observing and snapping pictures. If after a while your baby is ready to do something else, put away the camera until another opportunity arises.

Find the light

Most homes have an area that receives plentiful, indirect light. Scope out your home to find this spot! It will probably be near a large, unobstructed window. The more light you have available, the greater chance of capturing images which show off your baby’s beautiful features. Our favorite strategy is to clear a space in a bright area and lay down a few quilts or blankets on the floor. Avoid using a space with harsh direct sunlight.

Declutter

Don’t be afraid to move distracting furniture like lamps and chairs out of the way temporarily. These objects may create unwanted shapes in the background of your picture and draw the focus away from your baby.

Keep it real

When you look back years later, the most meaningful pictures will be those that truly captured a time and place. Photographing your baby with quirky props will not stir memories of how those first few months really felt.

Dress simply, or not at all!

Avoid “dressing up” your baby in adult style clothes which are gimmicky and will not stand the test of time. Likewise, try not to photograph your baby in a car seat or bouncer since they are typically upholstered with brightly patterned fabric. If in doubt, take off baby’s clothes (leaving the diaper on), swaddle your little one in a solid colored blanket, and lay him on a simple quilt.

Get those details

Take a moment to zoom in on special details like fingers, toes, ears, eyelashes and lips. Because these features change quickly, it is fun to photograph them as your baby grows.

Safety first

It should go without saying that photographing your baby should not involve risk. Never place your baby in a pose that could be harmful. Any unnatural pose that puts strain on his neck or back should be absolutely avoided. Likewise, do not set your baby in a location where it could roll or fall. To eliminate risk, clear a space on the floor and lay down some blankets, or capture images while your baby is in a bassinet or crib. Perhaps the best and safest place of all to photograph your baby is in the arms of a loved one.

Amy Tripple and Heidi Peters are award-winning photographers. Their work has appeared in Parents Magazine, US Weekly, People, The Chicago Tribune and Professional Photographer Magazine. They created Shoot Along to give themselves structure and accountability to capture their own families and decided it would be a great concept to share with other parents.

What began as a personal project has grown into a friendly and rewarding passion, offering support and instruction to parents on six continents. The goal of Shoot Along is to give parents the tools they need to document their families through photography.

Over 3,500 parents have taken part in Shoot Along since it started in 2014.

For more exciting information about Shoot Along, visit www.ShootAlong.com

Capturing Your Baby

Capturing Your Baby

Jun 1, 2017 | Photography Tips for Parents

Written by: Heidi Peters and Amy Tripple

Capturing your baby

Get low

Have you ever noticed that the best teachers, pediatricians, babysitters, etc. will always lower themselves to the height of the child they are speaking with? What these gifted child-whisperers know is that children engage best when approached face-to-face. When photographing your baby, you’ll find that the images you take will be significantly more interactive and authentic when shot from their level. This may mean that your baby is not the only one who needs her daily tummy time!

Shoot continuously

As your baby develops, he will begin interacting with the world around him with a widening spectrum of emotions. To capture the fast-changing faces that reflect your baby’s moods, be sure to set your camera to “continuous release mode.” Even if you are shooting with a camera phone, there is usually a burst mode that allows you to capture multiple pictures in rapid sequence. The more pictures you take, the better the chance you’ll have one that truly captures your little one’s developing personality.

Stay positive

Babies are masters of mimicry and continuously feed off of the emotions of those around them. As your baby’s main photographer, remember to stay positive when you’re capturing pictures of your little one. Often, babies will only smile in response to another smile, which means you may find yourself playing peek-a-boo from behind your camera to get those sweet, toothless grins.  Whatever you do, be sure to keep your feelings of frustration at bay as you take pictures of your baby so you don’t transfer any fussiness to your little subject.

Amy Tripple and Heidi Peters are award-winning photographers. Their work has appeared in Parents Magazine, US Weekly, People, The Chicago Tribune and Professional Photographer Magazine. They created Shoot Along to give themselves structure and accountability to capture their own families and decided it would be a great concept to share with other parents.

What began as a personal project has grown into a friendly and rewarding passion, offering support and instruction to parents on six continents. The goal of Shoot Along is to give parents the tools they need to document their families through photography.

Over 3,500 parents have taken part in Shoot Along since it started in 2014.

For more exciting information about Shoot Along, visit www.shootalong.com

Keeping Your Pictures Organized

Keeping Your Pictures Organized

May 15, 2017 | Photography Tips for Parents

Written by:  Heidi Peters and Amy Tripple

Avoid getting bogged down by your hobby

Being organized is not glamorous. No one will compliment for your amazing organization skills. But did you know that being organized makes the creative process much more enjoyable and fulfilling?

FIRST THINGS FIRST
There is nothing more heartbreaking than losing your precious images. Computers do crash — usually at the most inopportune moment. This is the least glamorous but the most important step of being organized, so do your backup FIRST. Decide on a location to store your images besides your computer hard drive and set up a way to automatically backup to this place. You can choose to use an external hard drive or an online service like Dropbox, Amazon Prime, Google, Flickr, iCloud, or the myriad of other services out there. Best practice is to use both and external hard drive and online service. If you haven’t already, back up everything NOW.

NEXT, SET UP A HIERARCHY
The next step is decide a way to keep your images in some kind of order. We use dates and keywords. Pictures are organized in folders by year and month. Within each month, pictures are organized by topic. Within each topic is a folder for all the shots right off the camera and another folder for pictures that have been chosen to be printed.

USE TAGS
If you use Lightroom, iPhoto, Aperture or other organizational software you also have the option of tagging your images with keywords. This is an invaluable tool for finding your pictures quickly in the future. It’s pretty likely that your kids are going to need pictures for school projects at very short notice. (Like, 10 minutes before you are trying to head out the door to get to school on time. Perhaps you can relate?) The ability to locate and pull up pictures quickly really does have real-life benefits, its not just for pro photographers.

A FEW SPECIAL SHOTS
Every once is a while you make magic. You know right at the moment that you click the shutter that you’ve got a display-worthy shot. These are the pictures that shouldn’t wait until later to get printed. They deserve special treatment. Get those printed, framed and up on the wall right away!

IN CLOSING
It’s easy to be overwhelmed by the sheer volume of images your photography hobby involves, but remember that family photography is just that, a hobby. You do it for fun. Do NOT get bogged down in perfection; instead, make it a point to get a system in place so that you can keep shooting and ultimately get your images into the hands of your kiddos. Be organized or you’ll soon find yourself under a pile of digital images that will feel more like a burden instead of the sweet memories that they are.

Amy Tripple and Heidi Peters are award-winning photographers. Their work has appeared in Parents Magazine, US Weekly, People, The Chicago Tribune and Professional Photographer Magazine. They created Shoot Along to give themselves structure and accountability to capture their own families and decided it would be a great concept to share with other parents.

What began as a personal project has grown into a friendly and rewarding passion, offering support and instruction to parents on six continents. The goal of Shoot Along is to give parents the tools they need to document their families through photography.

Over 3,500 parents have taken part in Shoot Along since it started in 2014.

For more exciting information about Shoot Along, visit www.ShootAlong.com