Fleeting to Timeless - Capturing Everyday Moments
My whole photography career began on my iPhone, just capturing photos of Gabriel, my oldest son. Of course, I thought they were great because they were photos of my beautiful Gabriel, but then people started to ask for tips and comment on how good my photos were. Then, several people asked if I could take photos of their family. For a while, I just answered questions with my best tips and told people I didn’t have an actual camera, only my phone. It somehow never dawned on me that maybe I had an eye for it, until one day someone offered to loan me their camera so I could take photos of their family and see if it was something I may want to pursue.
I do think my talents lie in having an eye for a moment, or capturing the essence of something, not necessarily in technique. I have bookoos to learn on technique. I absolutely recommend getting professional photos taken with you in the frame, but it is so special to be able to capture everyday moments and it makes it all the more enjoyable to be able to do a half-decent job at it. So, I wanted to share a few things I have learned that you can use both on a phone camera or a camera. They are more practical tips than technical.
Study the photos below that I took during an ordinary trip to the park and then I will discuss my approach to a photo session like this.
Did you feel like you were there with us? Can you tell the boys had a big time at the park? Well, we did! I casually carried my camera around with me and captured these moments as they unfolded. It is never worth anyone getting angry over some photos. If you are being kind, patient and fun, your kids will be happy and want to open up! If you keep making them stop their play and force smiles, it just ruins a good time. This goes for capturing shots during a day at the local park or on a beach vacation on an evening walk in the sand in your beachy bests.
Here are 7 quick tips to help you improve your everyday sessions with your little ones:
Deep breath. Don’t tell them you are going to take photos, just carry your camera or phone along with you. Start with letting them explore and have some fun - and have fun WITH them! Don’t start taking photos right out of the gate.
Try to think outside the box on your perspective. Try getting down on their level and see the world how they do. Then, try climbing up on something and shooting down for more of a bird’s-eye view.
Try different light! Take some shots with the sun behind you, shining on the kiddos, then try some with backlight (put the kiddos between you and the sun).
Be a goofball. You need to do this anyways. If it feels unnatural, practice makes perfect. You want your kids to smile and take good photos, so the least you can do is give them a little show! Hold your camera between your silly face and the shot you want and click away as you act like a maniac and they crack up. If that doesn’t work, fart noises are basically a solid guarantee.
If you have portrait mode on your phone and you just don’t get it, so you never touch it, believe in yourself and start using it more. Seriously, it creates great depth and really can take your quick snaps to another level!
If you are just really wanting a photo and the kids aren’t having it, set your camera down again, go be wild with the kids and forget about the photos for a bit. Once you have cooled down and they are having a good time again, try again. The worst thing you can do is get angry over photos. I just can’t stress that enough. You are trying to capture a good time, so it just makes it fake if everyone is upset and forcing smiles.
Practice. My dad always made fun of me for taking so many photos. He asked what I would do with all those photos. Me taking a million photos is my answer to how I got so good so fast. Sure, I trashed 75% of them, but the process is where all the magic happens. Practice makes perfect, or at least gets you one step closer. Challenge yourself to take your camera with you on at least one outing a day for a week. I bet you will see an improvement in just one week!
These were just a few quick and easy tips that I try to run through when I am out and about with my camera. If you have any tips you would like to share or any other questions, please feel free to drop a comment and share or ask!
