Photographing Women on Mother's Day

by Mom-to-Mom

Guestbook (3) | Report |

Previous Image

Next Image

Show a natural connection

Show a natural connection

Ask the younger subject to kiss mom or grandmother for natural moments filled with emotion. Stacie: Tamron SP 17-50mm F/2.8 Di II VC
Make eye contact

Make eye contact

Not every portrait requires that your subjects look at the camera. Tell them to look at each other, or have them chat with each other and snap away. If they are talking, be sure to ask them to hold for just a second so that you get good smiles on both subjects. Stacie: Tamron SP 17-50mm F/2.8 Di II VC
Make Mom feel extra important

Make Mom feel extra important

Make Mom feel important to evoke emotion that translates into classic photos. To photograph my grandmother, I went to her nursing home. She got to get dressed up, and one of the nurses put a little makeup on her. She loved it, and it was a really special shoot for us. Liz: Tamron SP 90mm F/2.8 Di 1:1 Portrait/Macro
Use natural light

Use natural light

I find that using natural light also offers an additional benefit: My subjects relax more. When I use natural light, even though I might still be shooting with a big camera, it’s not as scary to my subjects as if I had a big flash on top of it, too. They’re not as intimidated by my equipment because I keep it minimal. Liz: Tamron SP 90mm F/2.8 Di 1:1 Portrait/Macro
Environment can be key

Environment can be key

Taking environmental portraits offers a real sense of your subject’s personality. My mom just redid her kitchen, for example, so I took some really lovely shots of her there. The surrounding environment that speaks of the time and the place is something that’s often overlooked in portraits like this. Liz: Tamron SP 90mm F/2.8 Di 1:1 Portrait/Macro
Shoot for shallow-depth-of-field

Shoot for shallow-depth-of-field

I typically aim for a shallow depth-of-field in this type of portrait. For moms who might be getting older and concerned with things like wrinkles, I would never shoot at, say, F/8. I’ll shoot at F/4 or F/5.6, focusing on her eyes. A bonus; Jump into a shot using your self-timer! Liz: Tamron SP 90mm F/2.8 Di 1:1 Portrait/Macro
Frame your shots in-camera

Frame your shots in-camera

<p><p>When shooting, always think about your composition and surrounding area, take some time to frame your shots in camera to save some time during the editing process.</p></p> <p><p>Stephanie: Tamron SP 17-50mm F/2.8 Di II VC</p></p>
Pose your subject

Pose your subject

One of my favorite tips I learned from a photography seminar is to have your subject bring her chin forward and down. Stephanie: Tamron SP 17-50mm F/2.8 Di II VC
Get out of the direct sun

Get out of the direct sun

To create the most flattering images, move away from direct sunlight to avoid harsh shadows around the eyes. Stephanie: Tamron SP 17-50mm F/2.8 Di II VC
Get your subject moving

Get your subject moving

Explore different angles and poses while always keeping your focus on the eyes. Don’t be afraid to move around your subject. Stephanie: Tamron SP 17-50mm F/2.8 Di II VC
Don't let the clouds hold you back

Don't let the clouds hold you back

If you’re heading outdoors, overcast days work best for portraits. I love when it’s a little cloudy, because you get natural light without that bright, harsh glare. If it’s a sunny day, search out open shade. Hollie
Take a break from posing

Take a break from posing

<p>I really like photos where subjects don’t know when you’re taking the picture. When you tell someone to pose, you might get a generic, forced smile. My favorite pictures are always the ones you don’t plan for. Being a mom is all about the kids, so incorporate them into some of the shots and let them play, not pose. If you get a picture of Mom with her kids and they’re all laughing, you just see that connection they have.</p> <p><p>Hollie</p></p>
Looks for outward signs of affection

Looks for outward signs of affection

This photo of a grandmother and granddaughter was taken in a lamp-lit room at night. It was lit well-enough for me to use an ISO of 200, which gives a nice crisp shot. A higher ISO would be needed if there was less light or if they were moving in order to stop the blur. Janet: Tamron 18-270mm Di II VC PZD
Seek out the open shade

Seek out the open shade

Sometimes noon is the only shot you have at taking pictures for the day. If that is the case, seek out a little bit of shade. Don't bury your subjects deep in shade, but stand them just at the edge so that the sunlight bounces into them for nice even lighting, no raccoon eyes, and beautiful highlights in the eyes. Stacie: Tamron SP 17-50mm F/2.8 Di VC

Exhibit Info

Hide Exhibit Info

  • Exhibit Description
  • Mom-to-Mom's Profile
  • Mom-to-Mom's Exhibits
W1siziisijiwmtevmdkvmzavmjbfmddfmdffnty5x01vbxrvtw9tx2f2yxrhci5qcgcixsxbinailcj0ahvtyiisijkwedkwiyjdlfsizsisimpwzyjdxq
Hello. Welcome to Mom-to-Mom, a series of photo exhibits that feature non-technical tips and artistic inspiration from image-making moms. The exhibits, which focus on a new theme each month, are designed to encourage other moms like you to experiment with your cameras, lenses, a…

View Mom-to-Mom’s full profile

We all of special relationships in our lives that scream out to be captured, framed and displayed for an everyday reminder of the people in our lives. And what better day than Mother's Day to set out to take a portrait of the special women in your lives. The moms are here this month with tips and inspiration to help you jump start your quest for a great portrait this weekend. Happy Mother's Day. The moms: Hollie, Janet, Jeanne, Liz, Lynda, Stacie and Stephanie.
Tamron Exhibits
  • Show a natural connection
  • Make eye contact
  • Make Mom feel extra important
  • Use natural light
  • Environment can be key
  • Shoot for shallow-depth-of-field
  • Frame your shots in-camera
  • Pose your subject
  • Get out of the direct sun
  • Get your subject moving
  • Don't let the clouds hold you back
  • Take a break from posing
  • Looks for outward signs of affection
  • Seek out the open shade

Back to 3D View

To post a comment, sign in or sign up.

close

Guestbook for “Photographing Women on Mother's Day”

Name/Note Date

05/24/12

Michelle

great portraits

05/22/12

sjk168

Love your works

05/14/12

Min Stair

Thank you! Great ideas

 

Join

MyPhotoExhibits gives you the ability to create your very own virtual 3D photography exhibits in a personalized Soho-style exhibit space and share them with your friends, or the world! Membership is free, so sign up, and start showcasing those beautiful photographs of yours.

Create

Upload your high resolution images from your desktop or laptop. Make your photo exhibit your own by selecting from a number of gallery space types, furniture, frames, and lighting options. Once your exhibit "opens", keep it fresh by changing your photos, or tweaking the look of the exhibit. Create as many exhibits as you wish to showcase all of your travels, events, projects and more.

Browse

Get inspiration by easily viewing public exhibits. Check out your friends' exhibits, or search by category. View Tamron's recommendations, Tamron's how-to exhibits, and much more.

Share

Invite your friends to your exhibit opening by email or through Facebook, Twitter and other social networking platforms. Make your exhibit "by invitation only" or go public and share it with the world. You can also submit your photography exhibit to Tamron for review to be included in Tamron's recommended exhibits.

Go Mobile

Android App on Google Play