Have you ever looked back on a photo of your kid(s), and said something like… “oh my goodness, I totally forgot about that time when he was teething and he could only fall asleep by swinging… so glad that’s over.” I’m constantly amazed by the power that my family photographs have in bringing back memories and emotions that would have otherwise been lost in the whirlwind that is my mind.
If you’ve ever wanted to do a better job documenting YOUR family’s history, there’s no better time to start than now! Here are my top 5 tips to help you get started.
Where is Your Camera?
No, I don’t mean your iPhone… I’m talking about that other camera. You know… the fancy one? Can you find it? ‘Cause it’s kinda important to know where it is if you’re ever going to use it. Much to my husband’s dismay, my “fancy” camera is usually within reach. When I’m home, it lives safely on the tall countertop in my kitchen (I seem to spend a lot of time in that room). And the battery charger is usually nearby. So… Is there a nice spot in your home where you could safely and conveniently place your camera so that it’s always ready to use?
When I’m out and about, I will often put my camera into my purse/diaper/camera bag. It’s a Kelly Moore camera bag and I really love it. Another great option is a camera bag insert. These can be found for around $30 and lets you transform any bag that is large enough into a safe place for your camera! Here’s an example of an insert.
No More Cheese
Please, please, please… stop doing this!! I think I’m on sort of a one-woman mission or something… but I would love to tell every mother out there that there is a better way to capture your children’s beautiful smiles than asking them to “say cheese” for every photo. You know you love their natural expressions best, so here are some ideas to help you get them…
- Capture your children at play without distracting them
- Ask siblings/friends/loved-ones being photographed together to interact (e.g. “Sally, can you tell Jimmy a secret”)
- To get your kids to make eye contact with the camera, you can interact with them by telling a joke, playing a game, or just doing something silly to make them laugh.
Shoot A Lot, Share a Little
Whether you’re trying to learn photography, or just trying to get lucky with your camera, I recommend taking a lot of photos. Not only do I suggest taking a lot of photos each time you get the camera in your hands, but I also mean that you should use your camera regularly. Every day, every week… whatever would be more often than what you are doing now. When you take more photos you will have a better chance of becoming a better photographer and/or a better chance of getting more lucky shots!
But now to issue of images on social media… whether you take photos daily, monthly, or every other-year, I suggest finding a way to post only the best images. I know that you took 78 shots of little Jimmy’s first taste of rice cereal, but it doesn’t mean that anyone is going to look at all 78 images (well maybe grandma will, but she’s the only one.) I know it’s hard to choose, in fact that’s one of the hardest things I do as a photographer. But, by posting just one sweet shot of Jimmy’s puckered little face with a thoughtful caption, the impact on your audience will be far greater. Also, selecting the best of the best to post online, you will have an easier time deciding which images to print!
Back Up Your Photos
This is the most boring tip of them all, but it’s so important. Here’s why… Have you ever been working on a document for a really long time and you get that sinking feeling when the program shuts down and you lose everything. And that was only an hour’s worth of work. Imagine if the same thing happened to all of your images. I’m sure you would cry a million tears just like me.
Because computers crash, hard-drives fail, and disasters happen, I suggest finding a consistent way to back up your images. You can put them on external hard drives or burn them to DVDs and ideally store them at another location. But, my favorite option is using automatic online backup. There are many good companies that do this. I got a great deal on a Crash Plan account during a black Friday sale so that’s what I use to backup my entire computer!! I love that it just happens and I don’t have to think about it.
Print Your Images
So, here’s a tip that might have me (the pot) calling the kettle black. I need to work on this as much as the next mother! Now that you are working on picking the best of the best for social media, it will be a little easier deciding what to print. For those who want great quality prints, I generally suggest printing with mpix. Don’t forget to send some photos to grandma once in awhile!
But, what I’m the most excited about sharing are Blurb books – I really like them a lot. They’re awesome for when you have tons of images that you want to have beautifully printed in one place. I’ve printed a couple books with a whole year’s worth of photos!
Need some inspiration? You can see some of my personal family snapshots here.
Looking for a family photographer? Check out our favorites in our Guide to Jacksonville Photographers!
Great tips for a guilt ridden mom. I don’t take near enough pics. My camera will find a new home on the kitchen counter. Now if only I could convince the in-laws of your “no more cheese” rule… BTW, your site and photographs are beautiful.
Thank you Erin! Don’t worry, even my husband is guilty of asking for cheese! Just today in fact my daughter was “taking pictures” and saying cheese to herself. It’s an uphill battle!
I’ve always liked taking pictures and now that I have a newborn (and reading your article) I have a reason to purchase a decent camera. What type of camera would you suggest for a beginner? I was comparing a DSLR and mirrorless, what is your opinion these types?