Be patient with her. Don't push too hard. Maybe start by taking pictures of things around her while she's in the room. Then, slowly include her in the frame bit by bit. For example, start with just her hand or the back of her head. As she gets used to the camera being around, she might become more open to posing fully. Also, give her lots of compliments when she does start to engage with the camera, like 'Mom, you look so beautiful in this light' or 'Your expression is so lovely'.
Tell her it's just for the family. Explain that these camera stories will be a way to preserve family memories and she's an important part of that. And you can promise to only share them within the family if she's worried about a wider audience.
You could start by explaining to her how much these camera stories mean to you. Maybe share some positive examples of other people's camera stories that are really heartwarming. Also, assure her that she can choose the setting and the pose she's comfortable with.
Tell her how important her presence is in the story. It could be that her character or her experiences are vital to the narrative. For instance, if it's a family heritage story, her role as a mother and her own family stories are precious. Make her understand that she is the key to making the story more authentic and heartfelt.
Start by complimenting her. Let her know that she has a unique beauty and that it will be wonderful to capture it in a portrait. Promise her that the process will be quick and easy, and that she can choose the pose and setting she likes. For example, if she loves the garden, take the photo there.
First, you can start by gently explaining how much it means to you. Say something like 'Mom, a family portrait would be a wonderful memory for us all'. Then, show her some beautiful family portraits as examples to make her more comfortable with the idea. Assure her that she looks great and that it's about capturing the family bond, not about perfection.
Maybe when she tries to imitate a fun pose that she saw someone else do. She might start off a bit awkwardly due to her shyness, but as she gets into it, it becomes really endearing. The camera can freeze that transformation from shy to more relaxed and playful. Also, when she poses with her children. Her shyness might be less noticeable as she focuses on her kids, and those pictures can show a really tender and loving side of her.
Share stories of how other shy people overcame their shyness to pose for similar events. For example, 'Mom, there was this one person who was really shy like you, but they did it and it had a great impact. You can too'. Then, compliment her on her kind heart and how it will shine through in the photo.
There could be various mom pose stories. For example, a mom posing for a family portrait in a beautiful garden, with a big smile and her arms around her children. It's a heartwarming pose that captures the family bond.
You might try showing her some examples of similar stories where other moms or people have posed. Let her know that she doesn't need to be perfect. Maybe offer to do a trial pose first, just for fun, so she can get a feel for it. Also, assure her that she can have some control over how she is presented in the story, like choosing the setting or the pose she's most comfortable with.
One proper way is to offer genuine compliments about her achievements or appearance in a respectful manner. For instance, you can say 'You did an amazing job on that project' or 'Your smile is really beautiful'. This shows that you value her as a person, not just in a physical way. Also, when you are together, keep a comfortable distance until she indicates it's okay to be closer.
First, you can have a heart - to - heart talk with her. Explain how important these portraits are for the family memory. Assure her that she looks great and the photos will be a wonderful keepsake. You could also show her some beautiful family portrait examples to inspire her.