Getting in the Picture: How to Show Up in Your Family’s Photos | Real Life Photography Tips

Have you ever gone on holiday and got back only to realise you have no photos that you are actually in?! I get it—we’re always the ones taking the pictures. We capture the holiday snaps, messy breakfasts, the goofy grins and the quiet moments. But then, when we scroll back through the camera roll, it’s like we weren’t even there. Our kids will have thousands of pictures of their childhood, yet barely any proof that we were right there with them.

That. Stops. Now. Here’s how to make sure you’re in the frame too.

1. Get Over Yourself

This is the hardest part, but let’s be real—our kids don’t care if our hair is messy or if we think we look tired. They just want to see us. Years from now, they won’t be critiquing our outfits; they’ll be grateful to have a photo of us laughing, hugging, playing. So let’s stop overthinking and start clicking.

2. Use What You Have

No fancy equipment needed. Your phone has a self-timer—use it. Prop it up on a bookshelf, lean it against a water bottle, whatever works. If you have a smartwatch, most have a remote shutter function (game-changer). And if you’re out and about, don’t be afraid to ask a stranger to snap a quick picture. People are usually more than happy to help.

3. Make It a Habit

The best way to make sure you’re in the photos? Make it normal. Snap a quick selfie with your kids in the morning. Set up the camera during bedtime stories. Take a group picture at the park before you leave. The more you do it, the less awkward it feels—and the more memories you’ll have.

4. Book the Shoot

If all else fails, schedule a professional session. A good photographer will capture you just as you are—no stiff posing, just real moments with your kids. And you’ll finally have pictures that you didn’t have to take.

5. Remember Why It Matters

At the end of the day, these photos aren’t just for us. They’re for our kids. One day, they’ll flip through old albums and find proof that we were there, loving them, holding them, laughing with them. And that’s what matters most.

So go on—step in front of the camera. You belong in the picture, too.