Mom rules the world. You know it. I know it. She knows it. She makes everything brighter and happier. She is the glue that is holding your family together. She is literally the image you have in your head of Altas holding up the world. Your world. Mom is busy. Does she even sleep? She is keeping your clothes clean. She is making sure you don't die of malnutrition. She is mastering 4th grade math with you. She is helping you write your college essays. She is helping you learning your speaking roll for the big play. And when you flip through your family photos, where is MOM?

A startling 95% of all Moms are now invisible. And I'm not talking about the next great marvel adventure - I mean gone from all photos, like you never existed. The other five percent are randomly showing up in an occasional selfie. This is CRAZY. You should be the star of your own life. South Alabama photographer, Daphne Ellenburg can help you get back in the photos with 5 helpful tips.

Say this, "Dad, take our photo." and then hand him your iPhone. Doesn't that sound easy? Make sure it's YOUR phone - then YOU get to edit it and add your fun filters and then post it anywhere you want. Save it in your phone. Post it on facebook or instagram. But either way it is YOU living your YOUR life with the people you love.

Two words for you. Group Selfie. Get in the photos of those life adventures. Look we're Here! Look we're there! OMG we're everywhere! And just like that, Boom! You are the star of your life again. These photos look great on your social media or make great albums if you are chatbooking your life.

Selfie sticks are NOW for foreign travelers only. Don't embarrass your teenagers. Try a handy iPhone tripod. These things are tiny and will fit in your purse. Never miss a moment. Some of these tripods are pretty cool, like Joby GripTight ONE GP Stand Tripod. All the legs are moveable. They can even attach to things like a tree? Never miss a great shot of your life ever again. And if you are Miss Independent, rock your new DIY skills.

It doesn't always have to be faces in places. Try staring in photos with those tiny hands and feet. At the Ellenburg House, when we're baking, I photograph flour and sugar coated sticky fingers. When we go bowling, we stand in a circle and take a cheesy photo with our bowling shoes. With spring in full bloom, why not photograph adventures in the garden or family fun while you are chained to the ballpark. 

Be photographed with the people you love the most. Don't over think it. Just do it. The biggest push back I get when I ask Moms to step in front of my camera - "Daphne, just let me lose 5 more pounds. We'll do it next time." That is garbage. Right now. Stop what you are doing and think of a portrait you have of your Mom. Do you have that image in your mind? Now, would you say to YOUR MOM, "Hey, lady who gave birth to me, you really should have lost those 5 pounds before we went down and took this portrait." NO way. You would never. You look at your Mom with love goggles. And that is exactly how your children look at you. You are perfect. And when you visit Ellenburg Photography, Daphne Ellenburg will pose you in the most attractive positions to make you look fabulous on camera. Don't disappear this year.

Let us photograph YOU as the star of your life this Mother's day season. South Alabama mothers love nothing more than their children and those babies love you with their whole heart. We want to reflect that amazing love back to you in beautiful portraiture that will be cherished your whole life. 

Dads - THIS makes a wonderful gift for you to give MOM. The first 10 people who book in, will get our cherished ceramic portrait holiday ornament as a FREE gift. It's a WIN WIN.

Daphne Ellenburg is the owner of a bustling Portrait photography business called Ellenburg Photography located in Southern Alabama. Daphne has a supportive family and a fancy-pants 2000 sq ft studio in the heart of Saraland, Alabama. She loves college football, big handbags, lip gloss and all things Apple. She also enjoys writing about her Photo-Adventures and her entertaining family. Daphne is a proud member of PPA, WPPI, and the local chamber. Catch up with her at EllenburgPhotography.com or email her at daphne@ellenburgphotography.com. 
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We meet 100% of our new babies before they are even born. We get to know their parents. We find out what baby's room looks like. We get to witness the glowing magic of the bubbling anticipation of the new baby's arrival. It is truly one of my favorite meetings. That true pure love is infectious. I wish we could bottle it and open it up on a rainy day. No matter who the parents are or what the room is decorated to be, every new Mom wants the same thing. They want me to reflect back to them an image that can dig into their soul and show their whole heart back to them. I can do that. It's my super power.

Meet 5 day baby Amelia and her mother, Luli. I look at this portrait and I can feel all the hopes and dreams and endless love. I can feel the appreciation for a gifted blessing so perfect. This is true love. Breath it in. 

Bring us your new baby. You won't regret it.

Daphne Ellenburg is the owner of a bustling Portrait photography business called Ellenburg Photography located in Southern Alabama. Daphne has a supportive family and a fancy-pants NEW 2000 sq ft studio. She loves college football, big handbags, lip gloss and all things Apple. She also enjoys writing about her Photo-Adventures and her entertaining family. Daphne is a proud member of PPA, WPPI, and the local chamber. Catch up with her at EllenburgPhotography.com or email her at daphne@ellenburgphotography.com. 
We love to read your comments. 

This Mother's Day we asked you to come in and be photographed with your child. That is a tall order to swallow. Not everyone wants to be in front of the camera and everyone knows that the least photographed person in everyone's family MOM. So many people stopped by dressed beautifully with their babies, asking my camera to be kind. I know what is running through your head...Will my child behave? Will you make me look beautiful? What if my baby cries the whole time? What if it's too hot or too cold? What if it is really crowded? Will people be watching me take my portraits? Arrrggggh! Sometimes all of these things get in the way of what is truly important. Being Present in Portraits. 

No matter how many portraits you take or who takes them for you, one day hopefully a very long time from today, will be divided amongst your children. And they will look at them and remember each day and wouldn't it be great if you were in some of them? I make it easy. I send you a list of things to bring and ideas for wardrobes. When you step in front of my camera, I will pose you and light you like a masterpiece. We will practice some portrait yoga - trust me, you will thank me for it. I will have FUN with your babies ensuring they will smile and enjoy the time they spend with you in the studio. We seriously laugh a lot.

 I will show your love back to you in stunning portraits that will melt your heart. You will look at them and remember how it felt to hold him and how you wish he could be this little again. I love little. 

 You will have just as much fun as your sweet baby. And when it's fun for your baby, it will be easy to come back again and again.

Of all the gifts this great life has to offer, a Mother's love is the greatest gift of them all.

Be present in portraits. Not just for you, but for your babies. Give them a portrait with you that they will look at and immediately know how precious they are to you.  You can do this. And we also should be doing it more. This Mother's day, think about what you are leaving behind to be remembered. Happy Mother's Day.

Daphne Ellenburg is the owner of a bustling Portrait photography business called Ellenburg Photography located in Southern Alabama. Daphne has a supportive family and a fancy-pants NEW 2000 sq ft studio. She loves college football, big handbags, lip gloss and all things Apple. She also enjoys writing about her Photo-Adventures and her entertaining family. Daphne is a proud member of PPA, WPPI, BNI and the local chamber. Catch up with her at EllenburgPhotography.com or email her at daphne@ellenburgphotography.com. 
We love to read your comments.