Tag Archives: family photos

How to Save Money on Family Portraits

Family portraits are a nice way to create lifelong memories, celebrate special occasions or craft a favorite holiday gift. You can capture your family moments without spending a ton of money. Whether you get photos of just the kids or the whole extended clan, use the following ways to save more and spend less on all of your family pictures. Portrait Studio Deals and Coupons You can get some good coupons and deals with the chain portrait studios, especially if you are a new customer. They want to get you in the door where you will hopefully love your photos … Continue reading →

Creative Composition

Remember the “Family Tree” photo my pal took of her entire clan perched on various branches in an actual tree? I still can’t get it out of my mind. Each time I pass the photo (which now adorns my refrigerator) I have to smile. While I marvel at the creative composition of the photo I also have to chuckle because I know there would be no way I could convince my own family members to pose for a similar shot. (I have visions of my 5’1” 98-pound mother being hoisted on to an upper branch by my 5’11” brother and … Continue reading →

Do You Hesitate to Ask Others to Take Your Picture?

How many times has this happened to you: You and your family are visiting a picturesque vacation spot and you want a group shot of the entire clan, only you forgot to pack your tripod and there isn’t anywhere for you to place your camera and use the self-timer feature. You want to ask a fellow visitor to snap a shot of your entire brood, but others in your group resist because they don’t want to “bother” a stranger to take the photo. What do you do? I’ve found myself in this type situation on many occasions and depending who … Continue reading →

Preparing for Holiday Photo Shoots

I know. I know. Some of you haven’t even looked through the photos you shot at Christmas, and Easter is less than two weeks away. Time waits for no man and that goes double for overworked parents who desperately need to find room on their camera’s memory card to accommodate Easter shots. So what if your tulips are buried under six inches of snow. Spring like temperatures may not arrive in time for your holiday get together, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get your camera out and document your annual family gathering. Here are some tips to help get … Continue reading →

Photography Week in Review for March 2-8, 2008

Peter Cottontail is prepping to hop down the Bunny Trail while youngsters are readying to hit the beach for the big spring break holiday… is your camera ready? If you are looking for ways to spice up your family photos (at the beach or at home during Easter gatherings) then you’ve come to the right place. This week I provided tips on how to snap frameworthy group shots (even when you are shooting camera shy individuals). And in keeping with all things Easter I even threw in a few wonderful photo projects that are sure to be a welcome addition … Continue reading →

How To Spice Up Family Photos

Believe it or not I just received a Valentine’s Day card in the mail. It’s shocking; not because it’s March, but because technically it’s a Christmas card. My friend’s belated holiday greeting went from being a Christmas card to a New Year’s newsletter to a Valentine’s Day wish and ended up being a combination of all three. Regardless of when it arrived it was a nice surprise and worth mentioning in this blog because of the unique family photo that was enclosed in the card. Forget about posing for the traditional family portrait with the entire clan standing in front … Continue reading →

Making Photo Easter Eggs

I recently returned from Hawaii where my beloved grandmother has been placed in a life care center following a severe stroke. While there I learned from her therapists the important role photos play in a stroke victim’s life. Pictures of family members, pets, and everyday objects are used in various therapy sessions including speech and cognitive restoration. I am a snap happy parent to begin with, but the therapist’s information inspired me to take even more pictures than usual. (At last count I snapped and printed more than 700 images while in Hawaii.) Currently, my grandmother’s room is filled with … Continue reading →

Tips to Consider When Taking Group Shots

One of my main goals in taking my recent trip to Hawaii (other than spending as much time as possible with my ailing grandmother) was to get as many group shots of various family members as possible. Obviously, taking group shots is a bit more challenging than taking a photo of a single subject. Timing is critical given that you are trying to coordinate and manage multiple individuals, along with lighting and background interference. Still, there are ways to capture frameworthy shots of your favorite people gathered together at the same place at the same time. Here are some tips … Continue reading →

Family Photos: Posed or Natural?

Many times when we attempt to take a photograph of our children or the whole family, we stage the photo. We want everyone to strike the perfect pose, get in just the right position, and give us a perfect smile. Sometimes posed photographs turn out nice. Other times, not so much. Personally, I’ve found that the best way to make a staged photo work is to make everyone laugh just before you snap the picture. Calling out something silly like, “Everybody say Krabby Patties!” usually works on the little ones. Whatever it takes. If you get everybody to laugh then … Continue reading →

Capture Your Thanksgiving Memories

Thanksgiving Photo Ideas With Thanksgiving nearly here, I was thinking about the things I would like to document this year for this special holiday. With a little planning, you can make sure to take pictures and preserve those special memories. Here are a few ideas I’ve had that you may want to include on your scrapbook layouts. Family photos. This is a holiday where many family members travel to be together. It is a great opportunity to take pictures of people who can’t usually be together. Remember to get a picture of all of the cousins in attendance at Thanksgiving … Continue reading →