Now, more than ever, parents are electing to not show their children’s faces on social media. From concerns about privacy, safety, and consent, families are choosing more creative ways to share their special moments on social media that no longer focus on their children’s faces. As a model and content creator who has an emphasis on family content, I’ve mastered a few poses that allow the beauty of my family to shine while obscuring any recognizable faces.
Bring Them In Close:
Bring them in close for a hug or kiss. This works great even when they may be having a bit of a meltdown and tears are flowing. (Toddler parents, I see you!) You can have their back to camera or even in profile. I love the double cheek kiss from both parents as well as kid’s kissing the parent’s cheeks.
Get Moving:
A classic is the action shot. Toss the baby up above your head, twirl your toddler around, get them jumping or running. A kid in motion is much harder to catch and therefore makes it easier to obscure their faces while keeping energy in the photo. Profiles and back shots are your friends when keeping things unrecognizable. Have fun with it! I find action shots to be the most engaging for kids who don’t typically want to sit still and smile on cue.
Use Props:
Hide those cute faces while keeping it fun. Use of props like flowers, sunglasses, hats, and a delicious treat not only enhance the details of a photo but can bring out the specific season you’re shooting. A bunch of flowers in spring, sunglasses in summer, Christmas decor for a holiday shoot, a giant cookie or ice cream cone, all bring excitement and an extra layer or fun for the photo. Plus your kids will have so much fun engaging with something they love.
Walk Away From The Camera:
Hold your child’s hand and walk away from the camera. Parents can look back to the lens or everyone can face away. The momentum of the walking keeps the eye moving. This can be slow or silly if you choose to run. I’ve also shot versions of this with the parents in the background with the kids running to them. You can then turn it into an action shot by picking them up into the air, twirling them around, or embracing.
Embrace The Details:
Getting a super tight close up shot of specific details can help keep things unrecognizable. This is especially great with babies. A tight shot of their little hands in yours, the curve of their head snuggled into your neck, tiny feet, and chunky arms are all lovely details that show the bond between parent and child without sharing their face.
Focus On Vibes:
Alternatively, take the shot macro and focus on the vibe rather than the tiny details. Bring the energy, bring a pet, get out for a walk on the street. Tell a story.
Taking family photos allows you to create beautiful memories for yourself and to share with others. While you may take many photos that show everyone’s faces, be sure to snap some with the tips above that allow you to share the beauty safely on social media without compromising style.
Bio
Erin is a full time model, mom, and perinatal expert located in NYC. She has spent over 20 years working in the fashion industry, and nearly a decade as birth worker. She loves connecting with families at every point in their journey.
