Post by Jessica R.

With the Tiny Prints Talent Search contest under way, we thought you might appreciate a few tried and true real mom tips for getting great pictures of your kids.

1) Take tons and tons of pictures.

Most kids freeze up at the sight of a camera. They start to pose. They act goofy. They plaster a cheesy grin on their face. And they become a child you don’t know. The more pictures you take the less they’ll act up in front of the camera. After a few dozen shots they’ll get bored and go back to being themselves. That’s when you get the really great shots.

2) Never say “Cheese!”

Kids are used to cracking into an incredibly goofy, totally unrealistic smile as soon as you break out the camera and say “Cheese!” That’s not the child you want immortalized on film! Don’t worry about making them smile and face the camera. Follow them around and see if you can capture the emotions and facial expressions that are truly their own. Those are the pictures you’ll want on your wall.

3) Get down.

We’re all so used to looking down at our kids we forget what they look like face to face! They’re stunning! Get on your knees, lie on the floor, you’ll love the resulting pictures.

4) Get in their faces!

Push your camera up close, use a zoom and fill the frame of your viewfinder with your child’s face. Don’t worry about cropping out some hair, an ear or even a chin. Get right in there and capture the twinkle in those eyes!

5) Focus on the eyes.

Whether or not you’re filling the frame with your child’s face focus on the eyes. You’ll make sure that his face is in focus and you’ll bring the whole picture to life.

6) Have fun!

Goof off, make your kids laugh, giggle, be silly! Fill your camera with life and laughter.

7) Be flexible.

I get that you need a great picture for your holiday card, but you’ll just get frustrated if you try to make everyone behave and sit still. Anyway, who needs another picture of kids sitting still? The one of your brood all piled in a heap is going to get front and center placement on the mantle.

8 ) Keep your eye on the background.

Is a pole sticking out of someone’s head? Is there a huge pile of trash or laundry in the back? You might not notice while you’re shooting, but it’s all you’ll notice later.

9) Don’t make anyone pose.

Stalk your children. Capture them being themselves. You’ll treasure the photo of your daughter reading to the family cat much longer than you’ll keep the one of her sitting primly on the couch.

10) Use the Child Mode or the Sports Mode on your camera.

Those modes are perfect for capturing moving objects. Kids move. Lots.

And don’t forget, send us your best shots! You could win $1000 and your kids could be the new face of Tiny Prints!

Post by Mom Talk Correspondent, Jessica R.

Ever since having my kids, I must admit that I am convinced that kids make the best accessories.

Now I’m not saying that you should all run out and get yourselves pregnant so that you can join the ranks of Hollywoodites toting around cute little babies in their fashionista slings. I just mean that next time you’re standing in front of your closet lamenting your pre-baby wardrobe and sighing at the sight of your possibly frumpy, most likely stained mommy clothes, don’t despair.

Pick the most basic outfit in your closet, something comfortable and somewhat flattering, then go pick out your child’s cutest, most irresistible outfit. You know, the one you spent more money on than you’ll ever be able to admit to your mother-in-law.

Then, you can walk into any event – wedding, preschool meeting, playgroup, office party –with an adorably dressed child and no one will ever notice what you’re wearing. And fine, yes, if you really want to emulate the Hollywood elite, by all means, invest in a stunning sling. But I guarantee that that’s not what is going to distract people from the stain it happens to be covering up.

Having your kids with you also works great if you’re a bit nervous about what to say or how to act in a new situation.  Afterall, a well dressed baby or child is the ultimate ice breaker.

In fact, it worked for me last Friday when I was a bit nervous about attending my first Tiny Prints’ staff event – the rocking annual office Halloween party. Big bash, tons of amazing costumes, and a room packed with people I had barely met. I threw my shoulders back, grabbed the hands of my Witch Princess and her little sister the Cowgirl Princess, and strode in. It worked perfectly. No one noticed that I wasn’t dressed up or that they hardly knew me. All they saw were my two adorable little accessories.

Today, we’re excited to introduce our new “Mom Talk Correspondent,” Jessica R.  You may already be familiar with Jessica from her popular blog, It’s Jessica’s Life or recognize her as an original participant in our Gratitude Challenge.

Jessica recently joined the team here are Tiny Prints, and we invited her to share  her true stories and experiences as a mother to two young girls.

We look forward to learning more!