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Oh, Snap: Taking Great Photos of Your Kids

August 22, 2012 by The Motherhood

Every year since my oldest was born, my husband and I have made a photo calendar of the kids as Christmas gifts for the grandparents. Consequently, we’re always on the lookout for “calendar shots” throughout the year. I remember one Easter eve. We were coloring eggs and my son was about seven. I wanted a picture of him and his four year old sister dipping their eggs and smiling. Trouble was, he just didn’t look happy enough. “Smile,” I urged him repeatedly, as he focused on not dropping his egg and splashing dye everywhere. “SMILE.” Unsurprisingly, my son looked increasingly stricken in every photo I snapped until, in the final one, he is wearing a terrified grimace and holding his egg out to me as if afraid I will crush it over his head.

You will not be shocked to learn that that picture did not make the calendar.

Fortunately for all of us, I am not in charge of handing out the photography tips around here. For that, we have a cracker-jack team of great moms and brilliant photographers whose kids do not start to tremble and break out in hives when someone whips out a Nikon. Hosting our photography talk today was Heather, aka Sprittibee. She was joined by Stacy of Kids Stuff World, Jamie of See Jamie Blog and Jamie Worley Photography, and Jacquilyn of Jacquilyn Avery, all with tips on how to capture those fleeting moments with your kids – and have fun at the same time.

Heather’s Hints

Heather dropped hints for getting good pictures throughout the talk like my kids drop Teddy Grahams throughout the house. I’ve gathered them here for your enjoyment (the hints, not the Teddy Grahams):

#1 : FRAME your shot. Make sure the light is not too harsh, clear the clutter from your background – those are things that can’t be fixed easily in Photoshop… the aim is to try and take your BEST shot inside the camera.

#2: Get to know your camera. Read your manual. Get informal lessons from others who use your camera type if you are the SEE IT rather than read it type.

#3: Look at other people’s photos for inspiration. Keep a folder of favorite pictures you want to try and mimic with your children for fun, or just take some notes and use your imagination. (See some of Heather’s favorites here.)

#4 : Get yourself in some of the photos or you’ll regret it later. Don’t feel sorry for yourself that no one else in the family thinks to take pictures of mom – be assertive and ASK someone to take a picture!

#5: Take photos of them with the things they love, doing what they love. This is a great way to memorialize the moments that make life and your unique kids special.

#6: Look for a different angle. Always shoot more than one shot of the same picture Sometimes just getting down on your kids’ level or getting a picture of the scene from a new vantage point will make your photo pop.

#7: Take some silhouette and profile shots. It used to be popular to have a dark photo with the light from the side, and to draw silhouettes and mod-podge them. These are coming back in style and there are some great iPhone apps that allow you to make the most creative photos from empty silhouettes filled with photos.

#8: Play with photo editing. It’s not that hard. IPhone apps are super fun, and easier than learning Photoshop. Heather has printed many of her iPhone photos that she has edited with apps and framed them in her house, the quality is so good. Heather recommends checking out Alli Worthington’s e-book to learn about iPhone apps to use for photography.

#9: Don’t miss the action. Learn to pan, learn about shutter speeds, get your kids running, laughing, doing whatever quirky thing they do. This is another reason why our DSLR cameras aren’t always enough.The iPhone is revolutionizing photography because it is always in your pocket.

#10: Make collages to tell stories. You can make collages on Picasa, on iPhone apps such as Diptic, and on BigHugeLabs.com from your flickr photos.

#11: Make friends with your iPhone and load up on photo apps. Heather says, “I couldn’t do a talk without mentioning Instagram.” Heather’s blog post on Instagram is definitely a worthwhile read. Stacy also has a great iPhone tip: “Did you know you could take a photo using the volume button on your phone? When you want to be in a photo yourself, use the flip camera option and use the volume buttons to better control how you frame your shot.”

More Brilliant Ideas

I’m a Pinterest junkie. If you are, too, you’ll appreciate all the great photography ideas and tips on Stacy’s photography board. Pinterest is a great way to collect and organize shots that you admire and would like to try. Stacy’s advice about taking pictures of kids is, “Head out with the mindset of just having fun. Don’t expect to go out with lots of young children and do a professional shoot of some sort. For me, the magic of catching children in photographs comes through catching them in the moment. Go out to have fun and THEN you will truly get some great shots.” Jacquilyn agrees: “Make picture taking fun! Act goofy – be crazy!”

I wish I’d talked to Jacquilyn before terrorizing my poor little dude trying to get him to smile at me while he was busy coloring eggs. She says, “Another tip I use with my own family is, don’t always worry about capturing images with them looking at the camera. My oldest son suffers from severe autism and has NO interest in looking at the camera whatsoever. We structure our photo shoots around capturing interaction. My husband and I playing with the kids, looking the direction they are looking, tickling or reading together. Capturing moments that are dear to us vs. trying and trying and trying for that perfect look into the camera everyone smiling shot… because for us, it just isn’t going to happen and that’s totally ok!”

And when it comes down to it, the stiff, posed shots aren’t the ones you love to look at over and over. Jamie notes, “I’m kind of a stalker, even in my family, for natural, un-cheese shots.” Those are the ones that turn out to be the treasures. As Stacy observes, “I think an often overlooked part of shooting our kids is just capturing those sweet moments part of your everyday life. The ones you truly want to remember, not the ones in the fancy clothes or the uncomfortable shoes. Just moments that, without the shot, you might not remember on your own.”

(Check out the transcript of the talk here for more great ideas and links.)

Do Your Kids Wear Sunglasses? Here’s Why They Should

July 27, 2012 by The Motherhood

When I was a baby (or so my mother tells me), I would scream and cry when she popped me in my stroller and walked toward the sun. Turning the stroller around and walking the other direction flipped an off-switch on the crying – and it didn’t take her long to figure out that the sun hurt my eyes, and from there, outfit me with sunglasses.

Turns out, I was ahead of my time.

In a fascinating briefing session with nonprofit trade association The Vision Council last week, we learned about the long-term health consequences – for kids in particular – of neglecting to wear sunglasses outdoors.

You’ve heard of those pesky UVA and UVB rays, which give us painful sunburns every summer? Even while wearing SPF 90 sunscreen? (Okay, maybe that’s just me.) Those same rays are very harmful to our eyes, and according to optometrist Dr. Dora Adamopoulos, children have immature lenses that make them especially susceptible to the effects. Just as we wear sunscreen to protect our skin, sunglasses are a crucial tool for protecting our eyes, even on cloudy days.

Keep your kids’ eyes, and your own, safe and sound behind a pair of UV-protective sunglasses! Make sure you buy from a reputable retailer (a drugstore, eyewear store, anywhere but popup street vendors or online auction sites), and look for a sticker that says “UV 380.” In addition to reliability, here are three other things to consider when you purchase sunglasses:

1) Comfort! You won’t wear your sunglasses if they don’t feel right.

2) Lifestyle. What will you be doing when you wear your sunglasses? If you spend a lot of time at the pool or beach, maybe polarized lenses (which reduce glare) are best for you. If you play a lot of sports, look for impact-resistant lenses.

3) Design and fit. You want to look good in your sunglasses. If you feel self-conscious wearing them, they’ll stay in your purse, where they won’t do your eyes any good.

But what about your kids? It’s never too early to start encouraging them to wear sunglasses, as my mother proved when she bought me a pair at the ripe old age of 10 months. You can use the checklist of reliability, comfort, lifestyle and design/fit when you’re choosing sunglasses for your kids, too. If you still have trouble getting them to keep their sunglasses on, take this advice from Jamie Shyer, a chairman to The Vision Council and father of two: “As parents, we always have to be creative. If your kids like stickers, you might try letting them put two to three stickers on glasses to give them some independence. I recommend limiting sticker use to the frames so that you don’t cover any lines of sight.”

Jamie also suggested outfitting your child’s favorite stuffed animals with sunglasses and setting a good example yourself by wearing your sunglasses every time you have the opportunity. It will be good for your eyes and reinforce sunwise behavior in your kids – a win for everyone!

Music is Magical: Tackling Important Family Topics Through Song

July 26, 2012 by The Motherhood

Doesn’t motherhood just make you want to burst into song all the time? That’s how it makes me feel. Unfortunately, the song is usually “I Wanna Be Sedated” by the Ramones.

Chances are your experience of parenting isn’t all that much like a Broadway musical, either (and if I am wrong about this, please keep it to yourself). But whether we realize it or not, almost every mom uses music to help get through the day–whether it’s the “clean up” song with preschoolers, listening to our own favorites on an iPod while running or doing the dishes, or singing babies to sleep at night. Music makes motherhood easier, not to mention more entertaining.

No one knows this better than Ellie, The Mommy Master. Ellie’s just released a CD of children’s music called “Music is Magical.” Inspired by the fun she and her three young sons have making music together, Ellie has created songs that kids love (and learn from) and that parents like to listen to as well. Of the origins of her CD, Ellie says, “I always studied the piano and loved music growing up. I was very involved with theatre, took acting classes and was always performing. I found music to be a great way to express myself. When I had kids, I put my love of writing and my love of music together and my CD was born.” Ellie’s songs are fun, but many of them also deal with things kids find challenging, like the first day of school and potty training, in a way that makes those challenges easier to face.

Ellie joined us in The Motherhood today to talk about sharing music and special moments with our kids. Also on board were Hanan of Lilac City Momma, Eileen of A Suburban State of Mom, Lolo of Crazy About My Baybah, Marcie of Suburban Mama, and Elizabeth of Vocke Ventures – A Living Experiment.

These moms know how to use music to everyone’s advantage. Elizabeth says, “I use music to help my daughter (who is 4) remember important things. I made up a song to teach her to spell her name when she was very young, and recently used a song to teach her our phone number, in case she ever needs it. She picked it up in three or four tries.” Eileen uses music to entertain her boys, but also to help them focus: “There have also been so many studies about how music helps brain function. I play relaxing kinda music during homework time and I swear it helps my older one relax and focus.” Marcie uses music to help her kids manage time: “A lot of times I measure tasks and time in song – like how long will it take me to do this? Oh, that’s 2 songs long… How far is the place we are going, the kids ask? Oh, that’s 3 songs long.”

Given how great music can be for kids, Hanan wondered, “What age is a good time to teach your child to play an instrument?” Ellie responded, “If they show an interest, I don’t think there is a minimum age. For example, banging in the drums or making music with pots and pans is educational for the real young ones. My oldest took piano lessons when he was 4.” Lolo adds, “My son loves to play his harmonica, it is so cute! He is three.” Obviously, music doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing commitment; kids can ease into it. After all, it’s supposed to be enjoyable.

Speaking of which, most of us listen to “regular” music with our kids, because the kids do enjoy it and because, let’s face it, Barney songs make moms want to claw their own eardrums out by the third line. That’s why Ellie tried to be mindful of the needs of kids and the tastes of parents when creating her CD: “I created my CD with current rhythms and beats, similar to top 20 hits, so children would keep interest. Children’s songs don’t have to be baby songs. I have a rap song, techno, reggae and country among others.”

If you have little ones, catch a sample of Music is Magical here (there’s also info on buying the CD). The kids will love it, and you’ll enjoy sharing it with them while they’re little. After all, there will be plenty of time to introduce them to the Ramones when they’re (much) older.

Treat Yourself to a Home Spa Day

July 24, 2012 by The Motherhood

The last time I had a spa day in an actual spa was when I was six months pregnant with my first child. I really enjoyed it; I have no idea why I haven’t been back since.

Yeah, right.

It’s indisputable that few people need spa days more than moms. It’s also indisputable that it’s much easier to find the time and money to go to the spa when the loves of your life aren’t consuming all your time and money.

But what mothers may lack in free time and discretionary funds, they make up for in resourcefulness and ingenuity. If mama can’t get to the spa, she can bring the spa right home to her–with the help of Angie of My Four Monkeys, who hosted The Motherhood’s talk on having yourself a home spa day. Angie was joined by guests Liz of A Nut in a Nutshell, Felicia of Go Graham Go, Xenia of Thanks, Mail Carrier, Bridgette of Experimental Mommy, Renee of What Mommies Need, and Jennifer of Mommy B Knows Best to discuss head to toe pampering without leaving the house.

Admittedly, it’s difficult to get a full spa day experience at home. For one thing, who has a full day? For another, it may be tough to train your four year old to drape you in fluffy snow white towels she’s rushed straight from the warm dryer. (You may have more success getting your seven year old to peer at you critically and ask if you’re sure you don’t want your lip waxed.) But if you can steal an hour or two after the kids are in bed, you can have yourself a peaceful, relaxing time.

Don’t forget that a spa experience is for all your senses. If you find candles relaxing, have some at hand in your spa area. Have some favorite music selected and ready to go. Don’t forget a beverage, and not necessarily an alcoholic one. A nice cup of tea, or some chilled water with a few thin slices of cucumber in it, are refreshing and contribute to the spa experience. Get some essential oils and use (sparingly–a little goes a long way) to scent your bath. Some favorites among our panelists were vanilla, coconut and lavender for relaxation. Peppermint and grapefruit are great choices for invigoration.

Once it’s quiet and feeling spa-like, what are your favorite ways to pamper? Many of our talk participants really enjoy a facial or a great skin scrub. Of course you can buy that stuff in a tube, but it smells and feels even better (and costs less) if you make it at home. Our panelists provided their favorites, and links to more:

Angie’s Honey Avocado Oatmeal Mask

(especially great for oily skin)
½ cup dry old-fashioned oatmeal
¼ avocado
1 tsp honey
1 Tbsp olive oil

1. In a bowl, mix the honey, olive oil, and avocado.
2. Add in the oatmeal and mix thoroughly.

If acne is a problem for you, Angie recommends this facial mask:

Chamomile and Mint Facial
1 tsp chopped fresh mint
1 Tblsp honey
1 egg

1. Mix all ingredients in a medium bowl.
2. Apply the mixture to your face.
3. Let dry for 10-15 minutes, then rinse with tepid water.

Angie’s Honey Lip Scrub
1 teaspoon of honey
1 teaspoon baking soda
a few drops of olive oil

1. Mix the honey and baking soda till a smooth paste is formed.
2. Apply the mixture on your lips and leave it on for a few minutes, then gently rub the lips to remove dead skin.
3. Wash your lips with water, and apply olive oil to your lips to moisturize them.

If you like cinnamon, you’ll love this Cinnamon Sugar Lip Scrub Bridgette recommends, from Deliciously Organized.

For a more all-over skin scrub, Felicia offers her Brown Sugar Scrub. Angie also recommends Vanessa’s Chiquita Banana Sugar Scrub. (Angie points out that while many of these items make great gifts, ones using fresh perishable ingredients like bananas or avocados obviously do not, since they should be refrigerated and used within a few days.)

Essential oils can be used to scent and customize scrubs as well, such as this hand and body scrub offered by Angie:

½ cup brown sugar
2 Tblsp almond oil or olive oil
5 drops of honey
3 to 5 drops of your favorite essential oil

1. Mix ingredients thoroughly in a glass bowl.
2. Scrub can be used on the entire body, or just hands and feet (great for pedicures).

Angie says, “If you feel like splurging for a special occasion, here’s a scrub that uses papaya and smells like a beach getaway!”

Tropical Fruit and Sugar Scrub
½ cup white sugar
3 Tblsp coconut oil or coconut milk
3 Tblsp almond, jojoba oil, or olive oil
½ cup fresh pureed papaya

1. Mix the sugar and all the oils.
2. Add papaya to the mixture and stir.
3. Use on skin to rejuvenate, and remove dead skin.

When you create your own spa, you can do as much or as little as you like. Angie says,”I f you want to REALLY get into DIY pampering you can purchase supplies like beeswax, flavors, and coloring to create all kinds of products at home including lip balms, lip glosses, bath bombs, and more! Want to stick to recipes you probably already have the items to make? Look for scrub recipes, face masks, and bath salts.” She offers up this recipe for bath fizzies from Martha Stewart.

Sometimes the best part of a spa day is sharing it with someone else. But just because your spa is at home doesn’t mean that you can’t share it. In fact, it’s a great way to spend time with your daughters and create memories without spending a mint. Angie recommends Bonding Over Beauty by Erika Katz as a great source of pampering ideas and recipes for mothers and daughters to enjoy together.

Home spa days are also a relaxing and inexpensive way to get together with your friends. Jennifer did it for her bachelorette party, as did Liz’s daughter. Jennifer also suggests a spa day for a girl’s birthday party. Whether you have your spa day for a special occasion or no occasion at all, with your daughter, sister, friends or just yourself, relax and enjoy your pampering. If anyone has called you Mom, Mommy, Mother or Mama today, I promise you–you’ve earned it.

Have It All: “Me Time” AND Fun with the Kids in Pittsburgh

July 20, 2012 by The Motherhood

It’s summertime in the ‘Burgh (home of The Motherhood), and that means lots of opportunities for getting outside and having fun. That is, when it’s not 90 degrees with 100 percent humidity – those days are reserved for an air-conditioned movie theater or the community pool!

If you’re looking for a new place to visit or activities to try, check out this list of ideas from The Motherhood.

Bring the Kids

Cooking at the Children’s Museum. Want to help your kiddos learn some cooking skills? Check out the “Cook It!” live cooking demos at the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh every Tuesday and Friday during the summer! You’ll get to make yummy things like vegetarian chili, guacamole, Waldorf salad and more!

Click here for the schedule! Psst…don’t forget to check out the REST of the Children’s Museum while you’re there.

Visiting the animals. If the museum isn’t the place for you, maybe what you’re looking for is the ZOO! The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium is a fantastic place to take your kids on a sunny day. There are tons of animals, including a brand new baby girl sea lion pup! And don’t forget to visit the beautiful aquarium! (It’s our favorite part!)

Click here for their website!

Running the bases at PNC Park. Lately, Pirates Baseball fever has been going around the city! The best day to take your kids to a game is on Sunday – also known as Kid’s Day at PNC Park. You can start out with the #1 Cochran Family Fun Zone on Federal Street from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm, and all kids will get a kid-friendly Pirates item at the gate. If you stick around after the game, all kids are invited to run the bases that McCutchen and the rest of the Buccos run, right down on the field! How fun is that?!

Click here for tickets and more information.

Appreciating pop art. If you’ve got some older kids that will appreciate art, we suggest a visit to the Andy Warhol Museum. Displays and performances are always changing and there are even some interactive ones that everyone can enjoy!

Click here to visit the Andy Warhol Museum website.

Just for You (and Friends)

Free yoga in Schenley Plaza. Get your zen on with outdoor yoga on Saturday mornings at 10 a.m. in Schenley Plaza (located in Oakland). The one-hour class in the shadow of the Cathedral of Learning will make you feel refreshed and ready for the day.

Click here for more information.

Fun with painting. Gather a few friends, grab a bottle of your favorite beverage and head over to Paint Monkey in Lawrenceville for a low-key girls’ night out. They provide the space and the pre-drawn canvases, you add the fun!

Click here to learn more.

Bow to the creative genius of Squonk Opera. This is not your grandmother’s opera. With elaborate, artistic sets and original music and design, their “post-industrial performances” will blow your mind (in a good way).

Click here for Squonk Opera’s website.

Enjoy brunch with Bach and Beethoven in Mellon Park. We can’t imagine a better, more relaxing start to our Sunday than enjoying bagels and iced coffee from The Bagel Factory while listening to live music on the lawn in Mellon Park. The food isn’t free, but the music is. (Kids are also welcome.)

Click here to learn more.

Put a few of these activities on your list for now or later this summer, and enjoy your weekend!