Family photos are a treasure. How many photos are you in? I want you to go back and look at the last three months of photos. If you are in less than six, you need to get out from behind your camera and into the frame with your family. It doesn't need to be a portrait, it doesn't need to be perfect. It just needs to have you in it. I know it's hard, I know you don't have make up on. I also know you haven't showered in two days or lost that baby weight. Every mom knows that you are wearing the shirt you wore to bed last night. Heck, we're lucky we have a bra on today, right? All that may be important to you but your kids could care less. In thirty years they are going to look back at old photos.....don't you want them to remember you as you were back then? If there are no photos of you to look back on, they won't be able to remember the details. A photo is worth a thousands words, it's also worth a scent, a sound or a touch.
Take these tips and create your own family photos....
1~You don't need a tripod, it helps but is not needed. Use a wall, a chair, a table, stack of books, anything.
2~You don't need a remote either, using the timer guarantees focus and the kids get a kick out of you running back and forth. Especially if you are in heels in the desert.
3~Don't be above the reflection shot...It's you in the photo, with your family, that is what matters.
4~It doesn't need to be the perfect everyone looking at the photo, it needs to capture a memory. A day you want to remember.
5~Make it fun for the kids, tell them if they do one good photo then they can do a silly face photo.
6~The light doesn't have to be perfect either, not all family photos need to be enlarged and hung on the family room wall.
They just need to capture a memory with you in it.
7~Step back and get the scenery in the photo, it's further to run if you don't have a remote but worth it to remember the surroundings of your day.
8~Don't worry about what everyone is wearing...if the moment for a family photo arises, grab it with all you got.
9~People may walk in front of you and the camera, people may stare, people may ask to take the photo for you. Just be patient if you are in public. Use strangers to your advantage, I don't like to hand my camera off but I am not above asking them to stand behind the camera and get my kids attention so everyone is looking at the camera.
10~If you really want to take your own family photo, one to enlarge and hang in your home, plan it. Make sure little ones are fed, rested and happy. Don't forget to bribe with a treat and trip to the park after the photo is taken. It doesn't need to take forever. Take a test shot without you in it, set exposure, set the timer and run. If you aren't getting what you want have little candies(smarties or pez have been known to be my best friend) on hand to pop in their mouth in between takes. If the kids aren't cooperating stay calm and play with them for a few minutes. After they get the wiggles out, try again.
Some extra tips...
Things I say when my kids are whiny and say "I don't want to take another photo" varies. My biggest pull is grandma! I say that grandma really wants to see a new photo of all of us together. I throw in a "come on, do it for grandma." You could use anyone that they really love that they don't see everyday.
My bribes aren't anything lavish or expensive. You have to keep them simple or else you'll be buying them a new Mercedes when they are sixteen just for a holiday card photo. I offer up slurpees or a candy bar. Renting a movie with a treat also works well. Most importantly, have fun with it. If your kids see you having fun they will too.
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