It’s been four years since Dove released this stat, but it feels just as chilling.

Posing, filters, edits, AI apps… these days, it couldn’t be easier to completely change the way you look in posts. Smoother skin, narrower noses, fuller lips, smaller waists, bigger hips, slimmer arms—and along come our daughters and sons, who have never known the world any other way and whose developing brains are internalizing all these unrealistic standards.

What a time to be a parent, hey? As a content creator with experience working in mental health and as a youth leader, I’ve seen how much social media can distort people’s perceptions and harm their mental well-being. And I see you, all of you parents, trying to navigate this scary new world.

The good news is, I think I can help. As I sit here in a coffee shop with my baby asleep in the pushchair next to me (that’s a stroller for the North American folks), I want to stress that as a caregiver in 2025, you have more influence in your children’s lives than it sometimes feels.

So here are a few things I’d suggest that can guide your family’s relationship with tech and model healthy behavior.

1. Never use filters on your own photos (especially ones with your kids in them).

You know those “innocent” filters that turn you into a cute animal? Most of the time, even they smooth your skin and change your features. So we might unintentionally be sending the message to our littles that even their primary caregivers are altering their appearances to conform to beauty standards. If we stop using filters and editing, they can look up to parents who accept themselves for who they are. How powerful!

2. Point it out when you see a photo that’s probably been manipulated.

“Everyone else has perfect, unblemished skin.”
“I’m the only one who doesn’t look like that.”
“I need to buy all these products influencers are promoting, and then I’ll look like they do.”

How will they know if we don’t tell them? To our eyes, it’s perhaps more obvious when a photo is edited or AI because we haven’t grown up in this filtered world. Let’s help train their awareness of what they’re consuming, so they can be kinder to their real self in the mirror.

3. Talk about what people choose to post on social—and what’s probably left out.

Did you know that large retail brands have had to change their return policies because people are placing massive orders, showing haul videos online, wearing the clothes for pictures, and then returning them?

From seemingly lavish lifestyles to bodies posed and contorted to look thinner (or whatever the latest ‘beauty trend’ is), so much of what we see is far from reality. People take 100 photos to choose just one to upload…

When we see a glimpse into people’s lives online, it’s easy to forget that we don’t see 99.9% of what’s actually going on for them. For our own well-being, as well as our children’s, we need to continuously remind our brains that what we’re scrolling through doesn’t reflect real life. Seeing ‘perfection’ at every turn needs to be called out, otherwise we can forget, a discontentment with our own lives can fester, and our mental health can be seriously impacted.

4. Keep the conversation open: social media, AI, cyberbullying, and mental health.

It’s hard to believe, but there are now ‘AI influencers’—accounts of people showing their amazing lives and being paid for brand deals, but they’re not even real. It’s becoming harder to tell what’s human and what’s not. What a minefield.

Talk about this with your children. Keep tabs on cyberbullying at their school. Stay on top of Snapchat, where evidence of conversations disappears (also a feature newly available on WhatsApp). Regularly check in to see if they’re feeling addicted to their device.

Open conversations around a screen-free dinner table can make such a difference, even if it doesn’t seem like it at the time.

5. You get to choose what you post online of your kids—and where.

Something I find myself reflecting on frequently when I scroll is the impact of childhoods being shared on social media. What will that feel like for them when they’re grown up?

As a response to the trend of ‘sharenting’ (parents publicly sharing kids online), I think we’re now starting to see a movement of parents putting their kids’ privacy first and protecting their digital footprints. This means less potential for identity theft, future bullying, career implications, embarrassment, or photos just generally getting into the wrong hands.

I’ve been using Tinybeans for months now (try it here!), which gives me total peace of mind that the only people seeing my daughter’s photos are the ones I choose. I still want to collect the story of her childhood in a beautiful way, but not at the expense of her privacy. When she’s older, she can then choose who sees her photos.

So here’s to our children growing up knowing that they are loved just as they are, even in this rapidly changing world.

From day one, I couldn’t stop snapping pics: that milk-drunk smile, a close-up of those genetically blessed lashes, a nap in the tightest swaddle I could muster. While I didn’t post every single one of my 50-something dailies, I kept up a steady pace that let everyone see what we were up to and where we were strolling. Before long, it was on to the toddler stage—capturing sneaky smiles, playground treks, food-covered faces, and occasional (sure… let’s stick with that) meltdowns.

I lived to give little updates on our adventures. Here we are grabbing ice cream! And in the car ride home after a day at the beach! Was it a mistake to attempt a restaurant? Look at this chaos and you tell me (in the comments)! I became obsessed with posting just enough and exactly the right mix of shots and videos to chronicle our perfectly imperfect life.

During every event or outing, there was a part of me that was thinking ahead to later that evening, when I could batch together the best snapshots so the people could see what we were up to. The compulsion to put our family on display was so strong and such a common practice that I never stopped to think, Maybe just don’t share for a change?

So as a challenge, that’s exactly what I did. What difference could it really make, I wondered. I quickly realized it was huge.

I haven’t gotten into an argument with a kid over an outfit and have stopped caring how they look.

We are not—and have never been—a matchy-matchy, perfectly ironed and color-coordinated family. That’s just a fashionable bridge too far. But there have been several times when my daughter demanded to wear a ratty old rainbow shirt that had seen (much) better days, and I cajoled her into wearing something “nicer.”

Did it really matter? Not at all! But for some reason, I didn’t want the ‘Gram to see her in that tired top for the third time in a row and assume I never did laundry. Now that I’m done posting, she can wear whatever she wants, whenever she wants, and I don’t give it a second thought.

I haven’t gotten bummed about how many likes I’ve gotten.

More likes = more love, right? Obviously not. But there’s an undeniable dopamine burst when you see those hearts and comments popping up after you’ve posted the sweetest/silliest/most hilarious pic or reel. You’ve nailed it! The people love it—and you! And your family!

Except when it feels like they don’t. Was my caption not clever enough? Did I come off as unlikeable or out of touch? The truth is, you’ll never know. It may even just be what the algorithm felt like serving up today. But not constantly checking in and reacting to the “success” of a post is even more freeing than you can imagine.

I haven’t felt like a failure after not getting the “perfect shot.”

No family is perfect. We’ve all internalized that message by now, yes? Social is simply a highlight reel, we are all just putting on performances, and so on and so forth. But it’s one thing to logically know it and another to see story after story of kids that seem to be just a bit happier and funnier and more well-traveled and sun-kissed than your own.

Related: My Insta “Friends” Are Mostly Strangers Now—and As a Mom, It’s Weirding Me Out

There used to be days when I drove myself crazy because one of my kids refused to open their eyes in what would otherwise be a perfect sunset shot. Or because we had a day when everyone genuinely got along (!), but I didn’t get any proof of the sibling sweetness on film. In relinquishing my role as documentarian, I finally learned to stop caring—and comparing. As it turns out, my kids are actual human beings with their own emotions and facial expressions, who can squint and be unphotogenic goofballs whenever they please.

I haven’t stress-eaten ice cream after doomscrolling about predators. (I’ve stress-eaten ice cream for other reasons, like sleep regressions and unrelenting potty talk.)

To be honest, creepers weren’t always at the top of my list of concerns. But the more I read, the more disturbed I was to discover stories of stolen identities and scams tied to unsuspecting families. The idea that someone could just pluck images from your life to build lies around and do with as they please is beyond unnerving—and something we should all think about a bit more. Not to mention that plenty of the acquaintances you “friended” over the years are kind of… strangers now. And not necessarily people I want to see my day-to-day whereabouts.

I’ve stopped worrying about where my photos will end up.

Confession: I have never taken the time to read through the dozens and dozens of pages of terms and conditions for the various platforms and apps I use before agreeing to them. (I’m going to guess you’re in the same boat.) So concerns about who owns my images, where my photos and videos might ultimately land, and what future searches might surface them are all valid. It’s murky territory, and it’s terrifying. Taking the step to remove myself and my family’s likenesses from public-facing platforms (as much as is possible)—and instead opting for private photo-sharing on Tinybeans—is something that helps me sleep better at night. And it’s a decision I’ll never regret making.

Related: Digital Nesting: 10 Tips to Protect Your Baby’s Privacy from Day One

A report by the Australian Institute of Criminology reinforced the need to play it safe where photos of kids are concerned. In a survey of more than 4,000 Aussies who had engaged in sharenting, 2.8% had received requests from predators wanting sexual photos of children on their feeds. Some were pressured, while others were offered payment, all in the hopes of getting parents to help facilitate childhood sexual exploitation (CSE). Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus summed it up well: “No parent would ever hand a photo album of their children to a stranger, and the same care should apply to photos posted online.”

So, what should you think about before posting pics of your kiddos on social media? Experts have weighed in on everything from personal privacy to online safety. Keep reading to find out what they had to say.

Think Twice Before Posting Embarrassing Photos

While you might think your toddler having a tantrum or your tween misbehaving is so hilarious that you have to share it on social media, putting anything online leaves a permanent trail that will follow your kids for the rest of their lives. "Not only is this kind of oversharing disrespectful to your child, but you should also consider how these types of images or videos will be perceived by others, and the impact it could have on your kid when he/she is older," says parenting expert and author of Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids, Dr. Laura Markham. If it's on the internet, as well as the possibility of humiliating them later in life, there's a chance school bullies, college admissions officers, and future employers could see it. Next time, ask yourself how you would feel if it were you in the photo instead.

Consider the Message You Are Giving Your Kids

As parents, we are constantly telling our kids about the risks of using social media and teaching them about online safety, but then ignore our own advice when posting photos of them. "It's our job to teach and model online literacy and safety," says Markham. "When children grow up routinely seeing photos of themselves online, they think it's the norm. We're inadvertently teaching them that they have no privacy and no control over their online image."

Related: 8 Common Online Ruses Kids Should Watch Out For

Be Mindful of Giving Away Personal Information

According to a UK study by Parent Zone and Nominet, the average parents share almost 1,000 photos of their kids online before their 5th birthday. Many parents announce the birth of their babies all over social media, while some go one step further and hashtag their kids' names or even set up Instagram accounts for their little darlings before they can even talk. While it's kinda cute, all someone needs is a name, date of birth, and address, which they can get using a geotagged photo, and this can put youngsters at risk of identity theft and digital kidnapping, which is when someone uses photos and details of someone else's kids and pretends they are their own. According to a national internet safety expert, Katie Greer, if your kids are searchable, anyone can find out anything about them. "To maximize the online safety of your child, limit the information you share about them," she says.

Avoid Posting Photos of Your Kids in the Nude

That photo of your little angels in the bath, running around the yard in the nude, or even in their underwear might be adorable to you, but once you post it, you no longer have control over it, and anyone can do what they want with it. "There is a chance this kind of photo could end up in unintended hands. Even using seemingly harmless hashtags like #pottytraining or #bathtime can also attract the attention of the wrong people," says Greer. "Your kids' online safety is paramount, so to keep things simple, keep their clothes on."

Be Wary of Revealing Locations and Routines

It's surprisingly easy to track people using the information you can get from photos posted online. To protect your kids from potentially being discovered by child predators, Justin Lavelle, a leading expert on online safety and scam prevention and Chief Communications Officer with beenverified.com, recommends turning off geotagging and location services and never posting details about where you live, including your address. "Avoid tagging the locations of places you and/or your children may be at frequently and crop out backgrounds with recognizable landmarks. First day of school? Take a picture at home with them in their new backpack, not in front of the school building with the name clearly visible," he says. "Do not advertise their routines and wait a few days before posting photos of birthday trips or visits to the park."

Get Permission to Post

While some might argue that parents have every right to post family photos, kids don't ask for such public childhoods. While babies and toddlers generally have no say in what mom or dad posts, tweens, teens, and even younger kids often feel their parents share too much about them online without their consent (and they're even covering their noses in family photos to fight back). Take Gwyneth Paltrow's daughter, Apple, who, after seeing that her mother had posted a selfie of the two of them without her permission, reportedly called her out in the comments. "While you might think it's your right to post what you want on social media, when you ask kids, many don't want photos of them to be put online," says Dr. Laura Markham. "Our children have a right to decide what is posted about them and deserve not to have their privacy violated by us. It's important to get their approval first."

Related: The New Parenting Trend on Social Media? Giving Your Kids Privacy

Beware of the Backlash

When you're posting photos of your kids online, especially in the public domain for all to see, it's important to consider what the people who see the photos might think. They might not like it for all sorts of reasons and will be happy to tell you exactly how they feel. This can be very hurtful. There are many instances where people have been attacked for oversharing on social media. In 2019, Pink appeared on The Ellen Show and explained why she had stopped sharing photos of her children after getting comments attacking her for posting a photo of one of her kids without a diaper. 

Pay Attention to Your Privacy Settings

If you're going to post photos on social media, then check your privacy settings regularly. According to the Child Rescue Coalition, 89 percent of parents haven't checked their privacy settings in over a year. Facebook, Instagram, and other social media apps all have different settings. Without realizing it, you may be sharing your photos with the general public, aka strangers. Also, bear in mind that the friends and family you share your photos with may have different privacy settings, which means they could potentially share your photos, too. "Public posting means anyone, anywhere can see it," says Lavelle. "Keep your posts private, set your profiles to private, and make sure your posts are only visible to a custom audience of friends and family."

Consider the Bigger Picture

No one knows what happens with all the photos once they have been posted on social media. Take Facebook (which also owns Instagram and Whatsapp), which has been all over the news due to data breaches and their handling of personal information. Do you want these big corporations to have access to all sorts of data on your kids that you inadvertently supply? "While it's wonderful that technology allows us to be connected with family and friends around the world using social media and other photo-sharing apps, there is so much we don’t know," says Lavelle. "It comes down to common sense, smart decision making, and being careful what you post." A private photo-sharing app like Tinybeans can bring just as much joy to your kids' biggest fans without the risks of social media. 

Be Present in the Moment

When your child is performing in a show or playing in a match, it's only natural to want to capture every proud moment on camera so you can share it with family, friends (and maybe the whole world). We've all done it. But your kids see you with your phone in front of your face instead of watching them, and you won't be able to focus on what they're doing. Next time, put your phone away, watch, and be proud. Your kiddos will love that they have your undivided attention, and you will be able to enjoy the experience much more.

Consider Private Social Networks

As mainstream platforms like Facebook and Instagram come under fire, private social apps—like the one we offer at TinyBeans—are gaining ground for their privacy and security features. Our app offers parents a safe space to share photos, milestones, and other special moments with close family and friends. So you can go ahead and make a proud grandparent's day without worrying about those images getting into the wrong hands. 

But beyond the traditional photo ops, there are plenty more precious moments you should capture for your family album. I’m talking about the best images—the ones that show the quirks and real beauty of your family. One day you’ll see them and remember your kids as they were, not who people expected them to be. So this year, seek out the real holiday magic. Here’s a list to get you started!

1. Kids happily collapsed on the couch or in a car seat

After dinner, after presents, and after family parties, there are a few moments of magical stillness. The kids have eaten. The kids have run around. Excitement has drifted into quiet.

Yes, the high-octane moments are awesome. But there’s something extra special about this sudden, blissful hush. That feeling of: We did it, we’re tired, we packed a lot of life into a short time, and now we’re going to sleep it off. That’s what you want to remember right before the quiet explodes into an exhausted tantrum.

2. Siblings secretly getting along

It happens when you’re least expecting it. They’re baking cookies or opening presents or adding batteries to the newest blinking, shouting toy. Suddenly, your oldest is helping the youngest, or your toddler is excitedly explaining Santa to his woefully uneducated baby sister. They’re not teasing each other, shouting “mine!” or rolling their eyes. Snap it quickly: They’ll start battling over their new Furby in two minutes.

3. Action shots instead of finished products

The fun of cookies and crafting isn’t in the final designs, though we never turn down an unhinged-looking gingerbread man. It’s all about the doing—the tiny mountains of glitter all over your kitchen table, the flour caking your kid’s hands, the icing on their face. So go ahead and snap pics of those treats when they’re finished, but don’t forget the messy moments that got you there. One day (long after you’ve cleaned up the kidsplosion), you’ll love them.

4. Grandparents deep in discussion (or toys) with grandkids

Those posed photos of kids on Grandpa’s lap? They’re cute. But if your father-in-law is anything like mine, his forced grin is more terrifying than sweet. And if your kids are anything like mine, they’ll be squirming to get away. Rather than make everyone stop what they’re doing to slap on a smile, keep a lookout for that moment when a grandparent leans in to make the kids giggle or plops down on the floor to play or holds out a forkful of pie. Capture that instead.

5. Kids giving gifts—not just opening them

We all love the tearing-into-gift photos. Wrapping paper flies. Grins can’t be contained. Bows are stuck on people’s heads. But there’s a slight variation you should add to your shot list for the family album: your kids giving presents instead of getting them. Remember waiting for your dad to open the gift you made just for him and how excited you were?! Even if your little one is just helping hand out presents to other family members, snap those generous gestures. The giftee(s) will be glad you did.

Related: 11 Less Obvious Picks That Should Make It Into Every Baby’s Photo Album

6. Family photo session outtakes

All those posed photos? Adorable. The ones of kids making faces or unintentionally being weirdos? Better, because they capture the silliness and imperfections of those we love most. My relatives all agree that our best Christmas card ever—which my mother puts up every year—is the one that reads “Ho-Ho-No!” and features our eldest son (back when he was a baby) losing it on Saint Nick. I still feel twinges of guilt about that one, but it’s real. I like it better than all those smiling portraits, because it’s us.

7. A photo with you in it

While we all love that jolly fellow, Santa isn’t the source of Christmas magic. Moms are the do-it-all elves who make the holidays happen. So hand over the camera phone to someone else for a change. You deserve pictures with your kids. One day, they’ll want them. One day, so will you.

So much of this season is a whirlwind—which is why it just makes sense to go with it. Rather than manufacture joy, capture the in-between times, the unplanned exchanges, and the laugh-so-hard-it-hurts moments. That beautiful mess? That’s the real spirit of the holidays.

Make sure to capture all these blink-and-you’ll-miss-’em moments—and share them with your family and friends near and far—with the Tinybeans app. The secure platform puts parents in total control of who sees and interacts with photos and videos of their kids and makes it easier than ever to turn them into a keepsake photo book.

Back when my husband and I were dating, one of his good friends was seeing her—a cool girl whose name I can’t quite remember. The four of us went on a handful of double dates, and she and I chatted breezily during group hangs. Eventually, she attended our wedding as a plus-one; about a year or so later, they broke up.

But during that brief period when our lives overlapped, I friended her on Insta, as you do. And though I can’t imagine a reason our paths would ever cross again, I never removed her from my digital world. She’s liked plenty of posts of mine over the years—unforgettable moments like my eldest son’s first car ride home from the hospital; the time he rolled himself into a blanket burrito and laughed from inside, like a little maniac; his younger brother’s goofy attempts at toddler yoga; and a family trip where the boys are pleasantly passed out in the backseat after hours spent running around the beach.

Each moment was so special, but looking back, I’m not sure how I feel that Flowerstars333 has been along for the ride—and she’s hardly alone. A quick scroll through my followers, something I almost never do, reveals dozens of acquaintances, friends of friends, co-workers from eons ago, a few more once-significant others, and people I can’t quite place but surely friended for a good reason at some point in my life… right? Probably? Let’s be honest: At one point or another, who didn’t freely “accept” people they met who seemed fun and nice? It all seemed pretty low risk.

But it’s not just my life anymore. It’s my kids’. Did I do a deep clean to clear the digital party-goers of my past from my current roster? Yep. But there’ve been years of posts up until now—birthdays, park visits, milestones, family get-togethers—all featuring my sons, who never knew they had an audience (and didn’t agree to one).

Not too long ago, we didn’t think about privacy nearly as much. I had a “private” social media account, and to be honest, that seemed responsible enough. I wish I would have had the foresight to keep my circle tight, to rely on a private photo-sharing app like Tinybeans (which a number of friends of mine have used from day one). I’m a late—if regretful—convert, and I’m relieved to know exactly who’s got eyes on the most important people in my life.

As for Flowerstars333, it’s not that I suspect she has bad intentions. Leslie (it took me a while, but I got there!) still seems lovely—and she even has a family of her own these days. But when I sit with it, I can’t help but think: Who were all those other people, really?

For anyone looking to share moments with those who matter most (and no one else), learn about and download the Tinybeans app here.

*Username changed to protect privacy

Location, location, location

When you think of a family photoshoot, plaid shirts, cable-knit sweaters, and ankle boots might come to mind. And if you’re planning a fall shoot at a pumpkin patch, that would be perfect. But if your backdrop is the beach or a lush garden, not so much. Janis encourages families to consider the setting. “Really look at the palette of your surroundings,” she explains, and try to choose colors that complement it.

Pastels and neutrals look great on a beach while richer, jewel-toned hues will pop in the woods. If you’re shooting in your home, choose shades that go with your interior. For example, you’ll want to avoid bold prints and colors if you’ve got a farmhouse-style vibe. You’ll also want to think about the temperature; you don’t want to be shivering in a t-shirt or sweating through a wool coat.

Keep it comfy

The last thing you want is to look at these pictures years down the road and think, What was I wearing?! So start with your own style and personality, Janis suggests. If you’re more of a dressed-down kind of family, embrace it. If you’re uncomfortable in what you wear it’ll show—you’ll likely be stiff and awkward and constantly wondering how you look instead of having fun with your favorite people.

Janis reminds parents that the same goes for kids, so find something that showcases their personality. If they’re not used to wearing bowties or suspenders, they’re more likely to be grumpy and uncooperative in them. And remember that you’re not a family of mannequins, so choose clothes that are easy to move around in so you can get down and play with the kids or twirl them around.

Knix the matchy-matchy look

Aim for outfits that are cohesive but don’t look like you just stepped out of a department store catalog. It’s easiest to start with one person’s ensemble. If mom has a floral dress that she absolutely loves, draw inspiration for your color palette from that, says Janis. You want to stick to just three or four hues max.

Related: 11 Less Obvious Pics That Should Make It Into Every Baby’s Photo Album

What are some of our faves? Blues and whites are totally classic, but try to avoid everyone wearing the same white on top and blue on the bottom (mix it up with dresses, hats, button-up shirts, and different textures, or have one person in a navy blouse and jeans while others are in white tops or dresses). The same goes for black and white. You’ll also get a timeless look when you pair muted blues, mossy greens, and yellows with neutrals like grey or beige—plus these colors typically complement everyone. Mustard or mauve with cream and olive also makes for a nice mix, especially in the spring (picture your little one in an olive overall paired with a cream tee while mom has on a cream dress with a delicate mauve floral). Pops of burgundy or peach work well with denim, charcoal, and navy for winter shoots, and if you find yourself in the desert we love pulling out earthy tones like cinnamon, rust, taupe, and green.

Experiment with textures

Different textures and layers help to add personality and depth to a photo, Janis says, and you don’t have to fear layering in warmer seasons. It doesn’t have to be heavy jackets or sweaters but think about lace, linen, cords, and lightweight knits. There are also so many adorable pointelle outfits for babe, and you can try playing with subtle patterns on one or two people. And don’t forget about footwear, which can also be a good place to share a fun family tradition, like having everyone wear their favorite Converse or Vans.

Incorporate accessories

While you may want to leave your smartwatch behind, Janis says there’s no need to leave out timeless pieces that you love. Jewelry is an obvious choice but you can also try out a bow or headband, neck scarf, or even colorful socks. Just don’t overdo it. Pick a couple of meaningful pieces that work alongside your chosen color palette. “And be mindful of what’s in your pockets,” says Janis. “A lot of people put their phones in the front pockets of their jeans and it leaves a big rectangle.”

Pack backups

Be sure to bring a second (or third) outfit for little ones that goes with your look. Because… well, kids are kids. And you never know when you might come across the perfect puddle to jump in or the best hill to roll down. “I once had a little girl fall and then for the rest of the session we were kind of hiding her a little behind her mom because she was covered in mud,” laughs Janis.

Say cheese and have fun!

Once you’ve got all your outfits picked out, it’s not a bad idea to do a practice run. Have everyone try on their clothes and snap a couple of photos on your phone to see if you’ve achieved the look you’re going for. It’s also a good time to make sure everyone is comfortable and knows what to expect.

Speaking of expectations, parents, this one’s for you: Don’t forget to let loose. Run after the kiddos, let them scream in delight, catch those candid moments, and let them enjoy it. Does your toddler have a costume they insist on wearing every single day? Bring it along—it’s a nice bit of incentive for the end of the shoot that lets their personality shine. Trust us, the memories will be priceless.

Be sure to share all the best photos with family and friends near and far on the Tinybeans app. The secure platform puts parents in total control of who sees and interacts with photos and videos of their kids.

To help make the process as natural as possible (because those photos will be worth it!), we spoke with baby and family photographer Kayla Robins of The Robins Nest. She shared her best tips for lifestyle and DIY shoots, whether you’re taking monthly milestone photos or just trying to get a snapshot of your newborn’s life at home to share with loved ones on the Tinybeans app. Here’s what she had to say. 

Don’t feel like you have to rush into it

While most newborn photography is shot in the first few weeks after birth, don’t worry if you want to wait a bit. Aiming for when they’re about one month old gives your baby’s personality time to develop and you’ll be able to get a mix of portraits as they go from sleepy to alert. 

Let your baby call the shots 

It’s important to “follow the baby’s lead,” says Kayla. Don’t sweat the small stuff, as lifestyle photography’s aim is to capture the family as they are. It’s all about genuine interactions between you and your baby, so shake off any pressure to get the “perfect” shot. (Spoiler: There’s no such thing.)

Choose your call time strategically

Avoid any prolonged opportunity for fussiness by having your baby fed and dressed in their first outfit when you arrive at the shoot so you can jump right in. Scheduling a session in the morning works best as it allows for any and all breaks your baby needs to feed, change, cry, etc. without the risk of losing daylight. 

Related: 7 Pro Tips for Taking Monthly Baby Photos You’ll Want to Share

Don’t dress to impress 

You’re going to be doing a lot of online shopping in the coming year, but those intricate outfits perfectly suited to a special occasion? Now is not the time. A plain and simple onesie is the perfect place to start, and if you want to get fancy you can easily layer outfits on without disturbing the baby too much. Footed sleepers are a lifesaver at this age, but keep in mind that they’ll hide what is undeniably one of your baby’s most adorable, photo-worthy features—their toesies.  

Aim for quiet on the set 

Some babies might not be ready for their close-up, so making sure the shoot environment is calm and quiet will help them settle in. Kayla’s hot tip for capturing the perfect sleeping shot is to “rub in between their eyebrows to get them into a deeper sleep.” And the secret to more alert shots? Stripes. “I wear them so the baby can focus on the contrast.” 

Know that little touches go a long way 

Okay, so lifestyle newborn photography isn’t always propless. Kayla suggests including a few sentimental pieces in the shoot. Maybe a special blanket or toy, a gift from a loved one, or—even better—a beloved item from your own childhood that can weave even more love into this milestone moment. 

Break out your own camera 

If you’d rather embrace a DIY approach to newborn photography—or just don’t feel like leaving your house or having anyone come in—here are a few tips to help guide you behind the camera. 

• Light is key, so position your baby close to a window to maximize natural light. 
• With your baby lying on their back, shoot directly from above for a full-body view and then zoom in on their adorable little hands, toes, and face. 
• For a different perspective, get down low to their eye level. 
• Babies love to cuddle (and we love to cuddle them), which luckily makes for a beautiful shot. Prop their tiny body on a parent or loved one’s shoulder and have them turn their back to you so you can just see the baby’s head and face.  

Whether you go pro or DIY, you won’t regret it

“This stage is so fleeting and the emotion and energy of a newborn session, especially with a first baby, really shines through the images,” says Kayla. “You can always take more photos as they grow, but you can never go back in time!”

Make sure to capture all those adorable newborn moments—and share them with your family and friends near and far—with the Tinybeans app. The secure platform puts parents in total control of who sees and interacts with photos and videos of their kids.

The phenomenon recently went viral when Paris Fury, wife of boxer Tyson Fury, shared a family photo on Instagram in which her 13-year-old daughter Venezuela was covering her face with the front of her hand. Other parents were quick to recognize the gesture from their own camera rolls. There are several variations, like a peace sign or the back of the hand in front of the mouth, but the result is the same—the photo that’s taken doesn’t show the teen’s face.

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Why are kids doing the “nose cover” in photos?

Parents and experts seem to think that the reason is that Gen Z teens don’t want the backlash of outright refusing to be in the photo, and this is their way of controlling whether their image is shared by their parents. And to be honest, we’re not surprised.

“After several attempts to snatch the perfect Christmas family photo, I turned to my teen and finally asked him, ‘Why?’” mom of a 13-year-old boy, Michelle Harris told The Sun. “’Is everything OK, why won’t you show up in family photos for the handsome boy that you are anymore?’ And then the big whopper: ‘Are you being bullied?’” Thankfully, the reason he gave was far less troubling. “To my surprise, he turned to me and laughed saying: ‘No, but I will be if you post pictures of me online without my consent!'”

The trend toward privacy and away from “sharenting” has been on an uptick with more parents choosing to keep their kids’ images private, including celebrities like Kristin Bell and Dax Shepard. We even saw France introduce a bill last year to stop parents from oversharing photos of their kids online. The bottom line is that we should all be more vigilant when it comes to when, where, and how our images are appearing on public platforms. The kids get it—and we should follow suit.

For those simply wanting to share moments with friends and family without making it a public display, there are safer options like the Tinybeans app (you can learn more and download it here!), which puts parents in total control of who can see and interact with photos and videos.

For new parents bringing home their first baby, it’s wildly overwhelming to know how to track feeding schedules, diaper changes, sleep schedules, and milestones (that notebook you were using at the hospital isn’t going to cut it—something I learned at our first pediatrician’s appointment when I couldn’t read my own exhausted handwriting). As your baby gets older, you’ll need to know where all the good playgrounds are, how to create the cutest photo books, and somehow find play inspo for your kid’s ever-changing age and stage. And let’s not forget that moms need to find mom friends to add to their village; there’s an app for that, too.

They say necessity is the mother of invention, and this list proves it. Here are 10 family apps that parents are using right now to make their lives easier.

Sharing photos and making baby books: Tinybeans

Some families have cities, countries, or even oceans between them and it’s a struggle to stay connected. If you’re looking for a secure way to share photos and videos of your littles with family and friends, look no further than, well, us! Not only does Tinybeans let you capture and share memories without any of the safety concerns of social media, but it’s also a handy milestone tracker and source of parental ideas and inspiration. You can grab your best posts and easily create beautiful photo books directly through the app. And don’t worry, Tinybeans prompts you to post if you aren’t a natural sharer, so we’ll keep those eager relatives off your back.

Cost: Free or paid (Tinybeans+: $74.99 per year or $7.99 per month) on Apple App Store and Google Play

Baby milestone tracking: The Wonder Weeks

Wondering why your happy babe is unusually grumpy or has suddenly become a stage-5 clinger? Enter The Wonder Weeks app, based on the popular book by the same name. What your baby is probably experiencing is called a “leap”—a period of rapid developmental gains that can throw your little one for a loop (there are 8 of these in baby’s first year). The Wonder Weeks app gives you peace of mind and information on how to best support your kid during these developmental leaps. All you have to do is tell the app your child’s birthday, and you’ll receive alerts prior to each leap and advice on how to handle them.

Cost: $5.99 on Apple App Store and $6.49 on Google Play

Feeding: Solid Starts

Starting solids is a game changer—a new activity to add to your routine, those adorable scrunched-up faces when baby tries new foods, and getting to drop a few of those breast or bottle feeds (bless!). But there are also so many questions when it comes to nutrition, safety, and which foods your baby should have based on their age. Solid Starts makes this entire process much easier for parents who are interested in baby-led weaning, putting everything you need to know about starting solids right at your fingertips. This includes information about more than 200 foods, including how to prepare them based on age and which are potential allergens, which you can access in the free version. If you pay, you can also keep a food log that records your baby’s progress, make lists, document reactions and sensitivities, and access a searchable database with more than 300 recipes.

Cost: $1.99 per month or $9.99 per year on the Apple App Store and Google Play

Sleep schedule: Huckleberry Baby

Your friends with kids have probably prepared you for how much time you’ll spend obsessing over your baby’s sleep. From wake windows to sleep cues and, later, sleep training, there’s so much to think about. Enter Huckleberry Baby, which takes the guesswork out of your baby’s sleepy time to help tired parents everywhere get more Zzz’s. The free version tracks your kid’s sleep and eating sessions, but parents who need more support can pay for Huckleberry experts to customize a unique sleep plan for each and every family. There’s no generic advice and no crying it out, per the app website. It helps you discover your “child’s natural rhythm” and takes the guesswork out of creating a sleep schedule that works for everyone involved, from newborns through three years old. No wonder it’s got thousands of 5-star ratings.

Cost: Free or paid (Huckleberry Plus: $9.99 per month or $58.99 per year and Huckleberry Premium: $14.99 per month or $119.99 per year) on Apple App Store and Google Play

Family organizer: Cozi

Choir practices and baseball games and gymnastics… oh my. If you’ve entered your glorified chauffeur era, you know how crucial it is to track where every kid needs to be whenever they’re not at school. And most importantly, all drivers, I mean parents, have to be on the same page. Cozi takes the guesswork out of family organization by offering a way to track the whole family’s activities in one place. Family members are color-coded so they know who needs to be where at a glance, and you can share the grocery list, to-do list, meal plan, and more—so it all doesn’t fall on one person (we know who that would be).

Cost: Free or paid (Cozi Gold: $19.99 – $39 per year) on Apple App Store and Google Play

Meeting other moms: Peanut

Those long, monotonous days of early motherhood can feel so lonely and the best salve is meeting other moms who are going through the same things you are. While some parents are able to wing it and make friends at the museum or the playground, others need a little help. Peanut is basically like Tinder for moms looking to make friends. You can search for your future bestie based on age, location, where they’re at in their parenting journey, and more. The app’s groups and communities let you build relationships with other parents who share your interests. And if you need a little mom advice this is an alternative to your Facebook moms group, which we know can be a tad…dramatic at times.

Cost: Free and paid (Premium features from $3.99 to $79.99) on Apple App Store and Google Play

Groceries and meal planning: Plan to Eat

When you have the Plan to Eat app, you’ll at least spend less time staring aimlessly into an empty refrigerator wondering what in the world you’re going to cook for dinner. This app is a quick and easy way to plan your grocery trips and meals for the week. You can choose and upload recipes from anywhere on the web and a shopping list is automatically created for you in the app with items sorted by store and aisle. You can also categorize all your recipes any way you want and you won’t be stuck searching Pinterest or your old handwritten recipe cards ever again.

Cost: Free or paid ($5.95 per month or $49 per year) on Apple App Store and Google Play

Music and audiobooks: Spotify

The Spotify app is a lifesaver that the whole family can enjoy, from impromptu dance parties and keeping kids occupied in the car to podcasts and audiobooks for everyone. Ever tried doing storytime without even picking up a book? On particularly exhausted nights, Spotify’s storytime podcasts do the trick—or you can search audiobooks from Dr. Seuss, Peppa Pig, Robert Munsch, and more. And oh the playlists you’ll make: a “bedtime playlist,” a “car playlist,” or, if you’re like my 5-year-old, a “Super Mario Brothers” playlist that features every Mario song known to man. The only downside of using Spotify to curate your favorite kid’s music is that it will kill your Spotify Wrapped, the app’s wildly popular and personalized year-end review. My most-liked song of last year was “Poopy Bum Bum.” You’ve been warned.

Cost: Free or paid ($16.99 per month for a premium family plan) on Apple App Store and Google Play

Play and activities: BabySparks

Sure your baby can very briefly entertain themselves by looking at shiny things, dangling toys, or just enjoying some tummy time, but if you’re looking to take your play to the next level and stimulate some brain development—or you’re flat out of ideas for how to play with your babe—the BabySparks app is a great place to start. The app features thousands of personalized activities and milestones for littles from infancy to three years old and a slew of virtual and on-demand parenting classes that cover nutrition, potty training, and discipline, plus 450 new articles added to the app every week. That’s a whole lot of info at your fingertips.

Cost: For 0-12 months, a one-time purchase of $7.99. Basic subscription is $4.99 per month or $29.99 per year and premium subscription is $19.99 per month or $119.99 per year on Apple App Store and Google Play

Tracking diapers, feeding schedules, and more: Baby Connect

Baby Connect is the ultimate tracking app for all the tired newborn parents looking to monitor their babies’ feeding times and amounts, diapers, naps, bedtime, milestones, and more. You can review stats by the day, week, or even since birth if you need to, and then share the data with your partner and nanny. The best part? Say goodbye to the dreadful task of explaining everything you just did to someone else before you can take that much-needed break.

Cost: $4.99 per month or $119.99 per year for the family plan on Apple App Store and $6.99 to $164.99 on Google Play

Finding the best parks: Playground Buddy

Once your baby is old enough to enjoy going to the park (and you’re ready to get out of the house more often) the Playground Buddy app is an invaluable resource that grows with your family. Perfect for toddlers and elementary-aged kids, this app provides a map of all the closest playgrounds, plus photos so you can see what they look like and what types of equipment they have (look out for baby swings!). You can also share the playground with others when planning playdates, even if they don’t have the app. You’ll have access to an encyclopedia of 400,000 playgrounds in 170 countries right in your pocket.

Cost: Free on Apple App Store and Google Play

Find a local photographer who does minis

Minis are a great, less expensive way to get family photos. Plus, the shorter the period that your toddler has to focus, the better. And don’t worry that your photographer won’t have enough time to get the shot because they’re professionals and used to this, says family photographer Jalyn Clemens.

Don’t force your toddler to look at the camera

Posed shots are out, and fun, natural photos are in. If your toddler isn’t looking at the camera, that’s okay. “If one person isn’t looking at the camera it’s best that all of you are not,” says Clemens. “Just keep talking and smiling at your toddler or partner because smiling at the people you love is way cuter.”

Never stop moving

Clemens says if you never stop moving, it gives your photos a more natural look. Plus, toddlers never stop moving anyway, so this one should be easy!

Let go of expectations

“Let go of any and all expectations of how your session should go,” Clemens says. “A good photographer will adapt to the session and to your family’s personality and can just go with the flow.” Besides, your toddler might lead you to some weird and wonderful results.

Be yourselves

Most photographers will say it’s best to just be yourselves and let the photographer tell your story. If your kid loves to run and roll on the ground, great! Follow them and laugh along as they do it. Do you like playing on the ground with your toddler? Perfect! Get on the floor and make some photo magic.

Scope out your location early

“If you’re doing it outside your house, get to your location a little early,” Clemens suggests. “Kids have a natural desire to explore—or they could feel a little bit nervous at a new location—so arriving early can give your kid a sense of security and confidence.” This will also increase the likelihood of your tot staying close to you, as they already had a chance to explore.

Try to let your toddler have fun

If everyone is stressed and tense and getting hollered at for not posing right, the photos will definitely reflect that. Tracy Englund, with This Is You Photography, says to let your toddler have fun while they’re there. They’ll lighten up, and you will, too, which makes for some sweet, relaxed, happy photos.

Give them fun toddler-friendly props

Englund says whether it’s a book, bubbles, a toy, or even a mirror (they do love looking at themselves), giving your toddler a prop to play with and focus on will make your photos stand out.

Have someone stand behind the photographer

By positioning someone familiar behind the camera with a favorite toy or a particularly silly face, you have a better chance of your toddler looking in the right direction (and maybe even dropping that million-dollar smile).

Bribery is always an option

We’re not above bribery for family photos with a toddler and Englund agrees. It always works, but she notes that if the photographer is the one doing the bribing they should first check with the parents and make sure they’re okay with the treats or toys on offer.

When you’ve got more beautiful candids than you know what to do with, share them with your family and friends near and far on the Tinybeans app. The secure platform puts parents in total control of who sees and interacts with photos and videos of their kids.