HI ILoveTTATT, If you like your beard, keep it. Let your mother see that you are same person whether you have a beard or not.
I like your ideas about talking about your photography projects, travel plans, how you plan to lose weight, etc. Just focus on having fun with your parents and gently remind your Mom when she brings up JW/WTBTS related topics that life is too short to talk about the WTBTS.
Peace be with you and everyone, who you love,
Robert