Like many moms I know, I very seldom appear in photos of my family. I’m always the one hiding behind the camera, snapping shots of milestones and experiences and ‘just because’ moments we will one day reminisce about, but I honestly can’t remember the last time I posed for a photo myself.
Of course, I’m mostly okay with this lack of camera time. Pregnancy, childbirth, 5+ years of sleep deprivation, and a slew of other life events have taken their toll on my body, so my preference is to remain as inconspicuous as possible. I just can’t imagine anyone wanting to see photos of my disheveled self, and would be more than happy not to have any photographic evidence of my under eye circles, bat wings, cellulite, and stretch marks thank-you-very-much.
But here’s the thing.
While I may not be comfortable with the person who stares back at me in pictures these days, I know all too well that there will come a time when my daughter will search high and low for any and all memories she can find of me so she can remember the mother who raised her and discover things about the woman she simultaneously knows very little about.
Now, this doesn’t mean I’m rushing out to get professional glamour shots taken of myself.
Quite the contrary, actually.
Instead, I try to find ways to capture moments that mean something to me.
Lazy Sunday mornings at Starbucks with my sweet bear.
Date nights out with my husband.
Afternoon walks around our neighborhood.
Coffee.
Makeup.
A glass of my favorite white.
All the things that make me tick.
So I’ve embraced the selfie, and even though it makes my husband cringe every time I pull out my camera to take a flat lay of my shoes, snap a shot of my dinner in a restaurant, or capture myself enjoying a moment with someone I love, I keep doing it.
For my daughter.
And since I know I’m not the only mom out there who struggles to find ways to sneak into photos so they can be part of the digital documentary of their children’s lives, I’m teaming up with Nickelodeon to share 6 tips to take the perfect selfie with your kids.
And I’m doing it Shimmer & Shine style!
1. LIGHTING
Before you retrieve your Smartphone from your purse to snap a selfie, take a look around and find your closest source of natural light. Stand next to a window or, better yet, snap your photos outside during daylight hours. It will make all the difference in giving your photos a soft look, and will also help eliminate dark shadows…including those dark circles under your eyes!
2. PLAY AROUND WITH ANGLES
While it can be fun snapping up-close shots of you and your little one making silly faces together, you will be amazed at how much more you can capture if you use the right angle. Consider holding your camera above your head if you want to get some scenery in the background, or hold both of your arms in front of you while snapping your shots to show off your outfits. It’s a great way to frame your photos with a bit of personality!
3. USE THE RULE OF THIRDS
Yup. We’re going to get technical for a minute. But this simple trick will create a much more compelling shot than simply snapping a centered photo of you and your kids. By placing your faces in either the top-left or top-right corner for your frame, you will create more balance and, according to the photo experts, your audience will be able to interact with your photo more naturally. Give it a try!
4. EXPRESS YOURSELF!
Silly faces and serious smiles aside, take the opportunity to really inject some emotion into your selfies so you can look back and remember what you were feeling in the moment. Give your sweet girl a kiss on the head, snap a shot of the 2 of you sharing an ice cream, or take a photo of your hands intertwined while walking around your neighborhood. Remember: selfies can be more than just taking pictures of your faces, so get creative and really capture the moment!
5. USE A FILTER
Instagram and a slew of other apps offer fabulous filters to simplify photo editing, and they can transform an otherwise dull and boring photo into something bright and vibrant within an instant. I personally use the VSCO app on my iPhone, but take a look at what’s out there, play around, and find one that works for you.
6. USE PROPS
While I’m all about taking candid photos when we’re out and about, our lives really aren’t that interesting, and as most parents know, a lot of our memories are made while sitting on the floor of our living room working on puzzles and playing with our favorite toys. And even though I enjoy capturing shots of my daughter playing when she doesn’t know I’m watching her, she gets a real kick out of posing for selfies with her favorite Nickelodeon friends.
Her current favorites are the characters from Shimmer & Shine, which, as luck would have it, are currently on sale at Target.com (enter SHIMMER on Target.com and save 10% on all Shimmer & Shine Fisher Price toys from August 15, 2016 to September 10, 2016!). She particularly likes the ‘posable’ Shimmer, Shine, Tala, and Nahal action figures, and I got a real kick out of watching her lay them all down on our floor ‘just right’ so we could take a flat lay together.
We’ve also enjoyed reading a lot of Shimmer & Shine books this summer – The Sweetest Cupcake is our favorite – and the Shimmer & Shine Wish and Spin dolls have been a real hit.
Don’t forget to take advantage of the 10% off promo at Target.com by using the code SHIMMER between now and September 10, 2016!
See? Being a part of your child’s life, both on and off camera, is easier that you thought. With a little creativity, the right props, and a great filter, you can capture so many little moments you and your little ones will cherish forever.
Remember: you are one of, if not THE most important part of the lives of your children, so turn that camera around and become part of their memories.
This is a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.
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