There’s a saying that goes, “Moms are the heartbeat of the home.” As a Phoenix family photographer, I’ve come to realize how true that is. Moms are the ones capturing the smiles, the laughter, the candid moments that make life so beautiful. They are the memory keepers, the ones always ready with a camera or phone to snap a photo of their little one’s first steps, their partner’s proud moments, or even the dog looking particularly adorable that day. But when we look back at these photos, we often notice someone missing. That someone is Mom.

It’s time we changed that, every Mom should be in the picture.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard moms say, “Oh, just take photos of the kids,” or “I’m not picture-ready today.” Trust me, I get it. With the endless to-do lists, the busy mornings getting everyone out the door, and the occasional messy bun that becomes a permanent fixture, it’s easy to feel like maybe today isn’t the day to be in front of the camera. But here’s the thing: There’s no perfect time, no perfect look. Your kids won’t care if your hair isn’t styled or if you’re in your favorite old t-shirt. What they will care about is that you were there, really there, in the moment with them.

As moms, we document every milestone, every celebration, and every special moment. We curate the albums, print the pictures, and create the scrapbooks. We are the storytellers of our families. But what happens when we look back at those stories? Where are we? Are we just behind the camera? Our children need to see us in the photos. They need to see the love in our eyes as we look at them, the joy in our smiles as we play with them, and the warmth in our embrace as we hold them close. These images will be the memories they hold onto, the proof that we were there, loving them fiercely every step of the way.

Think about when you look back at old family photos. The ones that mean the most are the ones where everyone is together. Your children will feel the same. They will want to see pictures of you, of all the moments you’ve shared. One day, they’ll look back at these photos to remember their childhood, to feel the love of their family. Let’s give them a legacy of love, one that shows the whole family, especially the moms who held everything together. Every. Mom. Should. Be. in. the. Picture. Read that again. Every mom should be in the picture!

How to Make Sure You’re in the Picture

1. Hand Over the Camera: Whether it’s to your partner, a friend, or even one of the kids, hand over the camera and let them capture you in the moment. They’ll see the beauty that you might not see in yourself.
2. Hire a Professional: Scheduling regular family photo sessions can ensure you have beautiful, high-quality images with everyone included. As your photographer, I’ll make sure to capture the candid moments, the laughs, and the love. Don’t worry about posing or looking perfect. The best photos come from genuine moments.
3. Use a Tripod and Timer: If a professional session isn’t in the cards, use a tripod and set a timer on your camera or phone. You’ll be surprised how easy it is to capture a spontaneous moment.
4. Be Present: Sometimes, the most beautiful photos are the ones taken when you’re simply being you. Reading to your kids, cooking together, or just sitting and chatting. These are the moments that mean the most.

Life isn’t picture-perfect, and that’s what makes it beautiful. The candid shots of you laughing, the ones where you’re caught off-guard by a tickle attack, the ones where you’re still in your pajamas with a cup of coffee in hand – those are the photos that tell the real story of your family. The chaos, the joy, the love. Don’t wait for the perfect moment to get in the picture. Embrace the here and now. Let’s celebrate the moms who are always there, even if they’re not always seen.

So, to all the moms out there, let’s make a promise to ourselves and to our families: We will be in the picture. Because when we look back, it’s not the posed, perfect photos that will make us smile. It’s the real ones. The ones where we see ourselves just as we are, loving, caring, and very much a part of our family’s story.

Let’s start today. Let’s make sure we’re in the picture, showing our kids that we were there, sharing every precious moment with them. After all, we are the heart of our family’s memories. Let’s make sure our hearts are seen.

Let’s make sure that  every mom should be in the picture and become the norm, creating a legacy of love for generations to come.