Last week we established WHY you love taking photos so much.
to stop what I am doing and really look at my kids.
to tell the stories of their lives
to allow them to look back see themselves at all ages
to share with far away family and friends
to capture the every-day moments
to help me enjoy playtime with my kids
to find beauty in the world
to create something special
But I think the bigger question here isn’t the why, it’s the HOW! How do we create the opportunity for all of those rich experiences filled with stories, and fun, and games, and beauty.
It’s those moments of play, those moments of connection, where truly stunning memories (and photos) are born.
One of the #1 tips I give to moms who are interested in HOW to take better photos of their kids is to:
‘Make photo time into playtime’.
Make it into a game.
Make it fun.
I hear all too often from moms how their toddlers are too busy and run from pictures, or how their teenagers frowns as soon as the camera is whipped out.
The first question I ask back is: ‘How can you make them not even realize the camera is there?’
Making photo time into playtime does not mean you need to turn this time with your kids into an elaborate experience each time the camera comes out. You don’t need to plan special photo field trips, Martha Stewart worthy arts and crafts, or Pinterest inspired activities (although if you’re looking, I happen to have some good ones for February going up on my ‘Be Mine‘ Pinterest board right now!)
Photo taking for me goes hand in hand with building bonds and connections with my family.
This weekend we took Brie out to help shovel snow. She was so excited to have her own BIG shovel that she hardly even noticed that I was running around like a crazy lady trying to capture all the action.
Some of the ways you might make your photo taking more rich and engaging could simply include having a conversation with your kids while the camera is out. Asking how their day was while they’re coloring away at their craft table. Having them show you what they’re doing when they’re building with blocks in the living room. Playing Simon Says or Peek-a-Boo to get a smile or a laugh. Letting them do something forbidden, like eat their dessert before dinner. Giving them a turn to actually use the camera and snap some photos of YOU for a change.
Perhaps instead of asking:
How do we take better photos of our kids?
We should actually be asking:
How do we make fun, meaningful memories with our kids?
Because that’s the way truly beautiful photos are taken, don’t you agree?
In the comments today I want to hear all about your HOW. Tell me one thing you can try sometime in the next week to make photo time into fun time with your family? Do you have any new ideas to for a family activity, event or project? What simple tips and tricks do you have up your sleeve to keep your kiddos fully engaged with you, making photo taking easy instead of a chore?
If you’re still working on your HOW and want to learn to take better photos of your kiddos with a DSLR camera you’re probably going to LOVE the Momtographie Online e-course. Check it out now by clicking HERE, early bird discounted registration is open through Sunday January 19th, 2014.