Christmas is right around the corner, so snap to it—literally.
The holidays are prime time for capturing generations of loved ones in the same place at the same time. That’s a rare event for most clans, which is why you should take advantage of the opportunity when given the chance.
Don’t let the holidays pass you by without snapping family photos that you can cherish for decades to come. Gather your kids, their cousins, grandparents, even your four-legged family members, and document the good times. When you are done snapping posed shots, keep your camera on you and get in a few candid ones as well.
Parents know all too well that posed shots involving children can be a meltdown waiting to happen. Kids get tired of saying, “CHEESE!” and often get even more upset when you interrupt them so you can snap a picture. Unless you are bribing your offspring to smile, you’re better off not asking your son or daughter to stop mid-Christmas gift opening so you can capture the reveal. Instead, let your loved ones go about their business. You should be working around them to capture natural emotions, not the other way around. Remember, manufactured photos won’t do justice to the real deal. If you want to document authentic emotions, keep your camera at the ready and quietly take aim at candid moments, such as a sweet hug between cousins, a silly game of Pin-the-Nose-on-Rudolph or story time with grandma and grandpa.
Another way to add unique pictures to your family’s photo collection is to get down to your children’s level. For example, if your kids love playing with Lego, don’t just stand above them and shoot down at their handmade creations. Instead, kneel down and get some shots from fun angles. Focus on your children’s little hands building big Lego structures. Don’t forget to aim for their faces too. By exercising patience and avoiding the temptation to have them pose, you can capture some amazing expressions from your pint-sized architects.