My kids are very aware of my blog. I write posts while they play on the floor next to me, and they often have input about what I write about, and which pictures I use. I have always taken a lot of pictures of my kids, but blogging (and, specifically, reading the blogs of talented photographers) has made me more aware of image composition.
I have plenty to learn, but in the meantime what I do know is rubbing off on my kids! The other day, I walked in on the above scene. Emma had moved the kids to a spot where I like to take pictures, because there is more natural light, and she was running a mini photo session using our LeapPad. Remember these adorable pictures of Lily and Johnny? I owe them to Emma! I pulled out my own camera and took them during her photoshoot!
She was paying attention to light, and whether or not there were toys and pictures in the background. All things she has apparently noticed me doing/saying! I look forward to learning more about photography, alongside Emma!
What are your favorite tips for getting great pictures?
MaryAnne is a craft loving educator, musician, photographer, and writer who lives in Silicon Valley with her husband Mike and their four children.
Pretty awesome she was paying attention to light! I’m just learning that now!
What a fun toy! I will need to look for one for JDaniel! I love her photo taking ideas!
That is adorable! My kids love to take pictures with my camera…I often look through it and find that most of them are from the kids! :)
Emma is awesome. Now I want to get a leap pad. Does Emma use it a lot?
All three kids really like it. I like that you have a lot of control over what gets put on it, although I haven’t been able to remove their promotional “look what else you can buy” video. Luckily my kids don’t understand the purpose of ads (or understand that it’s possible to expand games beyond what they have), so beyond watching the little video clip they don’t do anything with it.
Awwww… this really made me smile! My 7 yr old and I have been learning more about photography together too. Some of my favorite photos are the ones she has taken! :-) Emma is so clever to pick these things up so quickly!!
You know I’ve been finding myself taking fewer pictures of my kids since blogging more frequently. I guess it’s been tempting because it’s so much easier to get decent pictures of things than people. I don’t like that at all though, and would love to learn some tips for better pictures of my children. A better camera would help too! (Saving up for that :-)
One of the unexpected things that came from my blogging was discovering photography. I have always been a point and click sort of person. Now I enjoy trying to get the best photo I can. I like to take photos outside for the best light but that is not always possible. This year I really want to improve my photography. My eldest daughter loves getting hold of the camera too. :)
I love this! It’s so great when we see our kids learning from us! Asher is a total maniac with the camera, but he takes pictures of things like our light fixtures. :)
My best photos are outside and I try to take pictures during the day for the blog. But that doesn’t always happen. A good camera is also helpful.
This same scenario goes on around here too with Hanna and Jack. The other boys don’t seem to share this ‘love of photography’ :-). It’s fun to see and sweet too. Yes, I do remember those pictures and they were some of the sweetest ever!
I hope your family had a very special Christmas together, Mary Anne! I hope you made memories that will last forever.
so sweet. love that it has a camera on it too. xo
That is so cute! I wish I had some great tips. I’ve been frustrated with my pics lately. I tried to get a family pic of all 10 of us and the aperture wasn’t wide enough. Everyone in the back row is out of focus :(
How frustrating! Looking at Christmas cards we received this year, I noticed that the best large group picture (a family of eight) was taken from above – maybe there’s a way to try that?
Oh my gosh! I just love that first picture! Priceless!!!
Thank you!
This is fantastic. I am not a very capable photographer – my main trick is to take as many shots as possible and hope that a few of them turn out OK, so I am very thankful for a digital camera!
That’s a trick that works very well!
Yup, that is my trick too. Lots and lots of photos.
Hmmm didn’t finish my comment or may e it’s not showing yet
I wish I had any good tips. My skills aren’t the best either
How cool is that? And I love how you caught a beautiful photo of Emma taking a beautiful photo. :) :)
I don’t really have any I wish I did.