Often, it's the everyday moments that make up our fondest memories. But capturing the essence of a family can really be a challenge. Can it be done? Read on for some great suggestions!
Get them happily involved in something: Are your subjects doing something they love? If you're snapping them "happy" - whether it be playing in the park, listening to a bedtime story or jumping on the couch - you'll get the best results.
Be creative. Photograph your subject from a variety of angles and distances for unexpected results. Consider location. When choosing a location or environment for your photos, be sure to assess the background. Is there anything that'll look like it's sticking out of your subjects' heads?
Understand your equipment. Familiarize yourself with all that your camera can do so that you can achieve your technical and artistic goals.
For example, experiment beforehand with your aperture settings to achieve a shallow depth of field. If you have a point-and-shoot camera, find a Portrait mode to achieve a similar soft-focus background.
Use fill-flash. On a bright day, your flash can fill in shadows around the eyes and the rest of the face.
Timing is everything. Be patient and wait for the right moment to press the shutter, even if that moment comes on a different day. If your child hasn't eaten or slept, for instance, consider aborting the project until they're in better spirits and more likely to cooperate.
Bring back-up! It always helps to have another adult on the scene. It's tough trying to be a successful mom and photographer at the same time!
