Shutterbug: Tips to capture the best pictures of your kids
My favorite camera in the world broke a few weeks ago and I'm now learning how to deal with my new one, which has more bells and whistles than I'm used to (I still love it). But I'm in a mad rush to learn how to use it because I am the official photographer for all holiday gatherings for my family. And there will be many, many moments that need to be captured.
It's one thing to know how to use all the features on your camera. It's quite another to know how to compose a good photo. Tracey Clark, one of the founders of the community photo blog Shutter Sisters, recently posted a series called Great Greetings, which offers tips on how to take photos for holiday cards. But many of her tips can easily be applied to snapping photos of your family over the holidays.
Two of my favorite tips from Tracey:
Look for the light. Tracey writes, "I love soft, somewhat flat light for my family portraits so I don't shoot in direct, shadowy sun. I look for open shade or shoot in early morning or late afternoon soft light. I think the most important thing when shooting photos of your kids (or of anyone for that matter) is paying attention to the light on their face and eyes."
Celebrate individuality. "There's no rule that says all your subjects have to be in the same photo together. Sometimes people need a little space to really be themselves.
Are you the family shutterbug? If so, you are probably like me and end up in very little photos because you're the one always behind the camera. (I think I have about 10 photos of me with my kids for 2008. Pathetic.) Make sure you take a break and give your camera to your spouse or another family member who can get take a few shots of you with your kids.
Other tips to share on how to take good photos of your kids over the holidays?
