With a smartphone camera practically available at all times, and many families with point and shoot and DSLR cameras, capturing memories and moments with the kids has never been easier. Even with all of the technology available to us, getting a good shot may still be difficult. Let’s explore my favorite way to get a great shot without involving your subjects.
Let me start by saying, “I am no professional.” I enjoy taking photos and sometimes get lucky. What I’m going to explain is the way I enjoy taking photos with whatever I have in my hand, smartphone, DSLR, or point and shoot, which we own all of the above.
Most of the time it seems natural to ask everyone to pose for a picture. With a big family, what I have discovered is this method is almost always a matter of frustration and or patience. It never fails someone has their fingers over someone’s head, goofy faces, no smiles, or a finger in the nose. All of this has caused me to abandon the pose method and go into “Candid Stealth Mode.”
Instead of yelling out “hey guys, smile,” what I do now is just sit back and let life happen. Though it definitely takes more time, I am often rewarded with photos I would have never had otherwise.
All it takes is a little patience and the shot will come to you…
When I am shooting with my Canon DSLR, I like using an inexpensive 50mm lens, it gives a nice depth of field which blurs the background while bringing the subjects in close.
This method really allows you to capture true moments.
Though every photo is not a smile, you can relive any moment through an image.
and sometimes, you just get magic…
To get you into filming in the “Candid Stealth Mode,” we are giving 1 lucky reader the chance to win a DV171 Digital Video Camcorder. Enter our giveaway below:
Take multiple shots at once
close your eyes count to three open and shoot
My favorite photography tip is to get close to your subject. For portraits, don’t be afraid to cut the top and bottom off of the head to capture your subject’s emotions.
When taking pictures, I have the same problem, I love all your shots, I’m going to try the stealth method. Thanks for the advice, great article.
Frame your shot so it looks like a postcard.
sometimes the best shots are the ones when you aren’t having to say “cheese” keep it natural
My favorite tip for getting a good photo is to catch people when they’re not paying attention. This helps avoid photos that look too posed.
Candid shots when no one knows or is looking
I think many of the best photos are taken when the object of the photo is unaware that the photo is being taken. I like to keep my camera out and on the ready so I can grab and shoot at a moments notice.
take it when no one is lookin
Take it in a natural setting- no posing.
Thanks for the chance.
mogrill12@gmail.com
My tip is to get a good camera and keep it charged. I really need to keep my own advice I am terrible about keeping mine charged.
my favorite pictures are those that are off guard… i like holding my finger on the snap, and waiting for the perfect shot, then snapping the photo.
I think one of the best ways to get a good photo is to try to not let the person know you are trying to get a pic. Sometimes the best ones are natural without posing.
Just take the picture freely, you capture the moment much better.
Make sure there’s enough light to take a good photo. 🙂
I tend to take more photos than I think I need….the more I take, I seem to get a lot of great shots!
Using edits when taking a photo or making sure there’s good sun or lighting
Always use portrait as the setting if you are trying to get just one person with a background.
Grab a child’s favorite toys or accessories at the time and let them show off what they are into at that time, something to reflect what they enjoy. A picture doesn’t always need to be pose and smile, let them express themselves.
I like to catch people by surprise, in natural action. Great pics that way
make the laugh
I like to get shots outdoors. Everybody looks a bit more relaxed.
I always make sure the sun is to the left or right of what I am photographing
i don’t take very good photo’s im reading a book to learn how
i like to take shots of everything! its the simple everyday things that are photographed the least but they come out so great!
It would be to have my sister do it! lol! Shes a professional photographer
take a few pictures at one time and make everyone laugh!
Good lighting is key, and don’t make the poses look so forced.
move left right, zoom in out until you get a good frame then snap a few
I love taking pictures when my subjects are unaware.
I have several of my children on the beach or looking out over the ocean that are priceless.
jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com
Get your subject unexpected
Don’t pose! I love getting action shots of my kids. Thanks for the awesome giveaway!
Try not to move around too quickly or you will make everyone dizzy!
Focus in on your subjects and don’t have too much background that distracts
brich22 at earthlink dot net
Always have a great background – a bad background can ruin a photo
annabella @ centurytel dot net
More pictures are better. One is more likely to be that special picture!
My tip is take lots of outdoor photos at sunset because the natural light makes the photos look amazing.
My best tip is GET CLOSE.
Practice using the different camera settings.
like taking them up close or when they r notpaying attention
ardelong2(at)gmail(dot)com
My best tip is to take lots of pictures. some of them are bound to be good.
Let them do what they want instead of posing them and it makes a world of difference!
Taking lots of pics back to back…
I like taking multiple snapshots…one is liable to be good 🙂
Take your camera wherever you go, because some of the best photos happen when you least expect them. Thanks for having this contest.
I think that the best pictures are taken when you catch your subjects off guard.
the best pics I have got of the kids, are when they are playing, and dont know I am taking their pics.
The best photos are when the subject doesn’t know they are on camera 🙂
I think my best tip is to get a picture when the subject least expects it, best pictures ever.
Enjoy the subject of what you’re photographing