Mother’s Day is just around the corner. No one loves pictures more than mom (except maybe grandma and she’s a mom too) and Mother’s Day photography ideas abound. Gone are the days of lining up and snapping a pic, and in are creative, fun, and memorable snapshots in time.

Here are five fun spring photo shoot ideas for your family!

When I Grow Up…

Have your children write their name(s), the date, and what they want to be when they grow up on hand held chalk boards. Take individual photos from the front porch; at the corner of the street; in front of the school (this will only fly with small kids) or near the mailbox in order to capture an address, street signs or any other identifying markers in the image.

These types of pictures are great to do any time of year:

We’ve Been Framed!

Two people stand at each side of large empty picture frame and hold it up between them. Have the rest of the family sitting — or standing between you, but behind the frame. They need to be far enough behind the frame so that when the photographer takes the picture they will appear centered in the frame that is being held.

Kids can “frame” their parents or vice versa.  This is also great for grandparents, in fact this is a charming way to create a family tree collage of family photographs.

My How Time Flies

Why not recreate old family photos for Mom?Find pictures of each of you that were taken years ago. Have each family member recreate their photograph — as close to the old one as possible by posing the same way, wearing similar style/color of clothes, etc.

Each person should be holding the old photo in their new photo.

The Family Hot Spot!

Every family has a favorite place to hangout together. Whether it’s a favorite restaurant, park, library, or even the mall, think out of the box and have your picture taken somewhere unexpected yet somewhere that is near and dear. If your family’s favorite place to hang at home in the family room or backyard? That’s OK too.

For the movie buffs, contact a local movie house and see what it would take to have your family photo taken inside the theater.

Families in Bloom

Anne Geddes is not the only one who can take cute pictures of flower pot kids! Your photographer’s studio is sure to have a lot of props to choose from so be sure to ask before you go out and buy anything. You will need a garden or in lieu of; gather together a child’s wading pool, two or three bags of potting soil, an assortment of pots and planters (one for each member of the family in the photo), some gardening tools like gloves, spades, trowels, and an assortment of plants (flowers, veggies, herbs, or a combination of all). You can buy these in the plastic 4 or 6 packs at a local pharmacy or grocery store.

Pictures of a brightly dressed family planting together is a great way to commemorate the beginning of spring 2013.

Whether you hire a photographer or have a friend do it, be sure to take lots and lots of picture. The more you take the better chance of landing several great ones to choose from to give to mom for Mother’s Day.