Remember back in English class—when your teacher stood at the front of the room, whiteboard marker in hand, and said: “Show, don’t tell“? It turns out, she wasn’t just talking about essays… when dreaming up your Mother’s Day picture ideas she was low-key giving you the best advice for capturing emotion.

Because here’s the thing: Moms don’t just want pictures with their babies. Mama’s want proof.

They want proof of *their* season, proof of hands always reaching and arms always open. They want proof of the way their little ones fit so perfectly in the crook of their neck. And proof that—no matter how chaotic, sleepless, or snack-strewn—it. was. beautiful.

So let’s talk about how to capture that proof!

Welcome to my blog! Here, I’m all about sharing fun tips to help you take amazing family pictures. If you enjoy this post, pin it to your Pinterest board, and don’t forget to grab your free “Camera Settings Cheat Sheet” “Camera Settings Cheat Sheet” to keep on hand during your shoots!

1. Play, Play, Play.

Encourage mom to play like she would at home with her littles. Give mom and child(ren) a heads-up at the beginning of the session by saying, “We’re going to have so much fun today! We’ll play, and if we need to switch it up, I’ll offer some prompts to keep the fun going!” Some prompt ideas I love are:

• Dance with your kiddo.
• Give a piggyback ride.
• Start a tickle fight.
• Skip / run hand-in-hand down the field.

And if you feel they starting to settle into a static pose, gently guide them toward movement and play—because that’s where the real magic happens.

(And bonus: wider shots love a little movement. 💞)

2. Look for the Little Things…

Another way to document the magic of connection in your session is to look for the micro-moments. I want you to challenge yourself to look closer!

Look for ways to seek and document natural connection points: watch how she absentmindedly twirls her toddler’s curls around her finger. How tiny hands reach for mama’s cheek. How her little one gives her a big ol’ open-mouth kiss with zero personal space.

These are the moments tell the story—lean in and capture the details of their micro connections.

3. follow the child’s lead…

This one’s a biggie. You cannot force a moment with a child, so don’t waste time trying to make it happen. If a directive isn’t working, don’t hesitate to pivot. Have mom get down on the child’s level, engage with them, and photograph whatever unfolds naturally.

Maybe they’ll pick flowers together, maybe they’ll whisper stories or maybe the kiddo will snuggle in while mama sings a lullaby.  

Whatever happens, let things naturally unfold and capture away. That’s where the real magic lives.

Bonus Exercise: Create a Mother’s Day Picture Ideas Board

Here’s a fun exercise to help spark some inspiration for your Mother’s Day picture ideas: Create a Pinterest board and pin images that speak to you of mamas and their children. Now, you don’t want to copy the picture. Instead, I want you to think about why you pinned it. What do you love about the connection? Is it the way the mom is holding her baby? The look in their eyes? The way they’re interacting?

Use those moments as inspiration to guide your own sessions—focus on diving into the feeling, not just the pose.

Once you’ve gathered your inspiration, brainstorm some of your own prompts that will create the connection you’re drawn to. What can you ask mom to do to recreate that feeling? Is it an action, a gesture, or a subtle look? Build your session around those prompts to document genuine bonding and love.

Bringing Your Mother’s Day Picture Ideas to Life: Capturing the Heart of Motherhood

At the end of the day, when dreaming up Mother’s Day picture ideas, moms aren’t asking for a perfectly posed family portrait for a magazine. They’re asking for proof of their current season. That their arms were always open. That their love was loud and big and felt.

So let’s give them that!

And remember: don’t just tell it—show it.

When you do, your client won’t just have pictures from a Mother’s Day photo event—you’ll have bottled up a season of motherhood she’ll be able to cherish forever. And that? That’s truly a gift.

Hey there! I’m Haley Kinzie, your go-to Family and Newborn Photographer in Oklahoma City and Edmond. I’m all about serving families who want a relaxed yet fun experience while capturing their beautiful moments. Whether you’re celebrating your first pregnancy, soaking in those tender newborn snuggles, or cherishing the chaos of little ones, it fills my heart with joy to tell your family’s unique story through stunning images. My mission? To deliver a gallery you’ll treasure for years to come!

If you’re a fellow photographer and want to capture more authentic moments like these, sign up for my newsletter! You’ll get the inside scoop on upcoming workshops, helpful tips, and a few surprises to enhance your skills and grow your business!

Want to see more of my work? Check out my Instagram! Ready to learn more about me or inquire about a session? Let’s chat!