6 in 10 new mums say they’re rarely in photos with their baby, new research reveals

A baby’s first year is filled with milestone moments, from sleepy newborn cuddles to first smiles and family days out. But new research suggests many mums are missing from the memories being captured.

A survey of more than 500 UK mothers has found that 58% say they are rarely or never pictured with their baby during the first year of their child’s life.

Commissioned by photo printing company CEWE ahead of Mother’s Day on Sunday 15 March, the research highlights how often mums are the ones documenting family life, rather than appearing in the photos themselves.

Mums are usually the one behind the camera

According to the survey, nearly nine in 10 new mums (88%) say they are always or often the person taking family photos.

In comparison, just 11% say their partner is the main photographer in the household. The result is albums and camera rolls packed with precious moments, but fewer images that include mum herself.

The findings suggest that while families are keen to capture memories during a baby’s early months, the person most responsible for documenting them is often absent from the frame.

Why many mums don’t appear in photos

For many mothers, there are practical reasons behind the lack of photos.

Almost half (45%) say it is simply too difficult to include both themselves and their baby in a picture, so they focus on capturing their child instead.

But the research also points to deeper emotional factors that may influence why mums step away from the camera.

• 44% say they avoid being in photos because they feel unhappy with how they look
• 34% say they simply forget to include themselves
• 31% say their partner does not think to take photos that include them

Postpartum changes and the pressures many new mothers feel around appearance may also play a role in why some prefer to stay behind the lens.

The emotional impact of missing memories

While it may seem like a small detail, the absence of mums in family photos can have a real emotional impact.

Two thirds of mothers surveyed (66%) say it makes them feel sad that they do not have more pictures from this special time in their child’s life.

Nearly a quarter (23%) say they feel frustrated that their partner does not remember to take photos of them with their baby.

With smartphones now the main way families capture everyday moments, the responsibility often falls to one person. In fact, 88% of mums say they primarily use their phone to take family photos.

A simple reminder this Mother’s Day

Petra Felgen, managing director of CEWE UK, says the findings highlight a small but meaningful change families can make.

Introducing the research, Felgen explains that ensuring mums are included in family pictures can help preserve memories that matter just as much to them as to their children.

Our research shows that mums are genuinely sad to be missing from this chapter of their family’s story, and we want to change that. We encourage families to capture a photo of mum and their children together and turn it into a keepsake she’ll cherish for life.

Felgen adds: “This Mother’s Day, CEWE is encouraging families to act on these findings with a simple but meaningful gesture, and make sure that mum is included in those treasured family photos.”

Capturing the moments that matter

Family photos are often how children later look back on their earliest years, from cuddles on the sofa to messy first birthday cakes.

Making sure mum appears in those everyday snapshots can help tell the full story of family life, not just the moments she captured herself.

The research suggests that sometimes the solution is simple, handing the phone to someone else, setting up a timer, or asking a partner to take a quick picture. Small actions like these can make sure the person documenting the memories is part of them too.