“The little things? The little moments? They aren’t little.”
-John Kabat-Zinn
Nothing puts a time stamp on life quite like parenthood. The days can feel so long, but the years are fleeting. One thing I am most drawn to in photography is the ability to capture the passing moments and preserve them as memories to cherish. It’s amazing to live in a time with the luxury of having cameras so easily accessible. You don’t have to be a professional photographer to seize the opportunity! These are my expert tips for capturing those memories using your camera or smartphone…
1 - Keep it Candid
Don’t extract littles from what they are doing. Watch them and observe or get in there and be involved in their fun and games. Embrace the chaos, the impromptu activities that spark personality and the usual rituals and routine. No need to force a pose to capture a memory.
2 - Keep it Simple
The scene doesn't have to be complicated or elaborate to be photo worthy! Watch for the moments that warm your heart or details that pull you in…it's in the eye of the beholder…it's freezing a memory, even if only for you.
3 - Sweet Details
Get close to all the little things - band-aids on knees, messy curls, small hands and feet, the little pieces they carry and hold, they all tell a story. Those are the little things we forget in time. Capturing a photo of these details allows us to remember them forever.
4 - Take a New Perspective
Don’t be afraid to change your perspective. Look for negative space to isolate your subject. This is a photography term meaning having an emphasis on the empty space around the subject, a large section of background. Get low and connect on the level of your subject, try a birds eye view and shoot from above. Get in close and then take an extra step back.
Watch a scene completely transform from another point of view. This is a great strategy to try in a populated location or tight space.
5 - Frame It & Add Depth
Shoot through windows, doors or naturally occurring shapes to frame your subject or shoot through new spaces and objects. The options for creativity are endless. Ideas: add leaves, flowers, lights or a coloured marker to the outside of your frame and watch for the magic.
6 - Don’t Aim for Perfection
Some moments are fast and fleeting and others you have to patiently wait for. Some of the best photographs are unplanned and candid. Perfect smiles, hair and clothing are not always our reality…aim to capture the perfectly imperfect. Embrace the chaos!
7 - Use What You Have
The best gear is the gear we have right now. Don’t be discouraged or intimidated to create. Whatever you have; a smartphone, a DSLR, a mirrorless or film camera will do the trick!
8 - Practice
Like all things in life, practice helps us further develop. The more photos you take, the better your outcome will become over time. Keep following the moments that light you up!
9 - Let the Little Lead
I love to let the kids take over! Invite them to participate in creative practice. Movement and mess making are favorites in my household. My most unique images come from our truly joy-filled moments.
10 - Get in the Frame
You are part of the story! Have someone else take a turn behind the lens, or get creative with incorporating little pieces that show you were there too (shadows, reflections, holding hands, feet, etc.).
Added Note: Take the photo and, regardless of the outcome you get, be sure you take time to put the camera away and be fully present with the people you love. We don’t have to always carry the pressure or fear of missing a chance to document a moment, we carry the ones that just live in our hearts too.
I hope these tips help you in capturing your littles as they grow and change. Join the newsletter for more insider tips and client exclusive deals. Just pop your email address into the section at the bottom of this page and don’t miss a beat.
xo
Kailey