A simple guide for husbands and partners from a Santa Barbara family photographer


As a family photographer, one of the things I hear most often from moms is that they have thousands of photos of their kids… and almost none with them actually in the frame.


Mother’s Day is a good reminder to change that!


The good news is you do not need a professional camera or perfect conditions to take meaningful photographs of your family. Most of the photos your children will treasure later are the ordinary moments anyway. Pancakes in pajamas, sandy feet at the beach, stroller walks, messy hugs, bedtime books, and the way mom looks at them when they are not paying attention.


If you want to take better family photos of mom this Mother’s Day, here are a few simple tips that make a huge difference.

1. Clean Your Camera Lens First


This sounds obvious, but it makes a surprisingly big difference. Your phone camera lens may just need a quick wipe. A smudged lens can make photos look blurry or hazy without you realizing it.

2. Put Mom in the Frame


Don’t wait until she feels “ready.” She deserves to exist in photos with her children exactly as she is right now. Years from now, your kids will not care if her hair was done or if the house was clean. They will care that she was there.

3. Look for Candid Moments


Kids move quickly, so don’t hesitate to pull out your phone throughout the day. Some of the most meaningful family photos happen in the in between moments:


• cuddles on the couch

• snacks at the kitchen counter

• holding hands crossing the street

• stroller walks

• laughter

• even the chaos


These moments tell the real story of this season of life.

4. Don’t Over Direct Everyone


The best family photos usually happen when people are interacting naturally instead of constantly stopping to smile at the camera. Instead of saying “everyone look here and smile,” try:


• “hug mom tight”

• “walk together”

• “whisper something silly”

• “tickle her”


You’ll usually get much more genuine reactions.

Two young children lying in lush green grass, wearing cozy sweaters, smiling up at the camera.
A smiling woman sits outdoors on a blanket with two children in a grassy coastal setting during golden hour.
A woman and two children walk hand-in-hand down a dirt path through green fields under a purple sky.

5. You Don’t Always Need Faces


Some of my favorite images are not traditional portraits at all. Photos of little hands in mom’s hand, sandy feet, messy hair, or people walking away from the camera can feel incredibly emotional and story driven.

6. Include Movement


Movement instantly makes photos feel more alive and natural. Instead of asking everyone to freeze:


• walk together

• twirl the kids

• cuddle on the couch

• push the stroller

• run toward the ocean

• dance in the kitchen


Movement helps people relax and creates connection in photos.

7. Let Kids “Help”


Kids often become more cooperative when they feel involved. Let them:


• hug her tight

• play a game together

• tell a joke

• “help” pose mom

• take a few photos themselves


This usually creates much more natural interaction than asking kids to stand still and smile.

A young boy with blonde hair holds a vintage film camera outdoors near a beach, wearing a green long-sleeve shirt.

8. Think About Angles


Try moving around instead of taking every photo standing straight on. Holding your phone slightly above eye level is often flattering for mom, but also try getting down to your child’s height. It instantly makes photos feel more immersive and connected.

9. Include the Environment Too


Take some close up photos, but also remember to zoom out. Some of the best family photographs capture both the people and the feeling of where you were together, whether that is the beach, your backyard, a hotel pool, or your kitchen on a slow Sunday morning.

10. Pay Attention to Light


Light matters more than the camera itself. If you’re indoors, try to position mom facing toward a window instead of under overhead lights. Natural window light is softer and much more flattering.

If you’re outdoors in the middle of the day, pay attention to harsh shadows across faces. Sometimes simply turning away from the sun creates much prettier light.

11. Take Short Video Clips Too


Do not forget video. Tiny clips of mom laughing, talking, hugging the kids, brushing hair away from their face, or walking hand in hand will become priceless over time.

Even 5 to 10 seconds matters.

Two children playing among tropical palm trees in golden sunset light, wearing casual outdoor clothing in a lush garden.
Two children stand among lush green shrubs beside a large dragon tree at golden hour.

12. Take a LOT of Photos


Seriously! Take at least 30. Kids blink. People look away. Hair blows across faces. One photo may not work, but another taken half a second later might become everyone’s favorite.

13. Print the Photos


Most importantly, don’t let these images disappear into your camera roll. Print them. Frame them. Make albums. Put them somewhere your family will actually see them. The everyday moments often become the most meaningful ones later.

Two young children hugging and smiling on a dirt path outdoors, wearing warm earth-toned clothing.