When was the last time you took a picture of your kiddo in their room? It occurred to me recently as I watched one of my children hanging out in their room that I wanted to remember this moment. I wanted to capture her at this age, in this outfit, in this place, living in her space like she’s does all the time.
Then I thought about all the little moments that I can barely remember in the different seasons of their lives in their spaces. Like when they were babies. In their little cribs waking up and pulling up on the side calling “Momma! Momma!” With all of their adorable accessories littered around them. I eventually would bag all of it up for storage or to give away. But, would I have the memories- or would my mommy brain dominate my capacity to remember? Would my little one even remember the items that they just had to have on their nightstand when they were 4?
I can’t tell you how many rooms we have decorated/re-decorated. Rooms that have been swapped by siblings. Rooms that celebrated our kiddos personalities for the season. The rooms that we never photographed. That only live in our memories. So after promising myself that I would remember this moment, this day, and this space, I decided I should create a little time capsule for my ever weakening memory. I hope you will too! Here are a few tips to usher you along…
PICK A DATE
Just pick a date that you and your child will be available for an hour. An hour is plenty of time. Time for you to do a quick pick up- you know shove all the trash in the closet and just have the good stuff out. The every day treasures for display. Charge your IPhone or camera and coast.
PREP YOUR SPACE
Make sure you have some great lighting. Open the windows. Shut the windows. Turn on the lights. Sometimes, turning off lights can help as well. EXPERIMENT. But most of all, make sure your subject, your child, is highlighted. Be sure to check your pictures after taking a few to make any adjustments. There is nothing worse than taking a million pictures and finding out later that you left the lens cap on the entire time! Ok, maybe that doesn’t happen much anymore, but crummy pictures happen! Catch it early, and adjust.
Need a little more detail on lighting?? Be sure to sign up for our e-mail list or check @hostingwhatmatters on Instagram. I will be adding a photo editing/lighting tutorial soon!
HAVE YOUR CHILD PICK OUT THEIR CLOTHES
I know that could be disastrous. But, what would that disaster look like? A spiderman pajama kid with crazy hair? Does that capture him fully in this season? If so, IT’S PERFECT! I let all of my kids pick out their clothes. The only instruction I gave them was to put on something that made them feel special. I loved seeing what they chose that made them feel cute or handsome. I helped them brush, spike, or curl if they wanted it, but I really made an effort for them to just be themselves. Today, in this season, just the way they are. After all, that is what I LOVE. Them just the way they are…
TAKE A WIDE VARIETY OF SHOTS
Have them sit in a variety of spots in their room and smile. Some serious. Some laughing. Some talking. Interact with them. Capture their personalities and mannerisms. Be mindful of the items in the frame. Document the everyday. Their bed, their decor, their favorite things.
HAVE THEM DO WHAT THEY DO
Have them do what they do in their space. Have them read a book they often read. Play with the toy they play with often. Have them “live” where they live.
Capture what they love in their room. How do they live there? What types of activities do they love to do in their space? If they share a room or hang out with siblings in their rooms, then capture it. What makes their room come to life? Capture that.
JUST DO IT
You are looking for sweet content, not perfection. It’s OK that you haven’t finished decorating their room- or never started. Just photograph them in their sweet spots. Don’t worry about shadows, imperfections, etc. If you try to make everything just so, you will never complete this task and you will miss the point. Just set a date, prep your space, have them get perdy, do what they do, and take the pictures! You never know, you may snap your very favorite. A perfect framer!
CHERISH THE MEMORIES
I grew up with an Interior Designer for a mom. She decorated in her sleep. I can remember a small handful of the decor in my rooms. I know of 3 pictures that captured the decor in my rooms. I cherish them! Why haven’t I thought to document these spaces sooner? I think the answer is BUSY. Our lives as Mommas are busy. We run, we chase, we crash. We sometimes forget about the little everyday moments. The older I get the more I cherish the EVERYDAY. Just a regular day in the life of my baby makes me want to celebrate. I hope this post will inspire you to celebrate your kiddos in their spaces by capturing them doing life there everyday!
Meet the Hostess
I'm a Southern girl who loves a good party, a house full of laughter, and a porch swing full of friends and family. I blog about how to host in a way that matters. Curious what I mean by that? CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE AND READ MY STORY.
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