May 13, 2014

Life Hack: How to take pictures of your kids

This spring, the kiddos and I joined my parents for a low key vacation in Jekyll Island, GA. It was a beautiful night for a quick photo shoot- or so I thought. I had two nicely dressed kids, a sunset backdrop and a brand new camera in hand! What could go wrong? 

Since my subjects were squirmy, I had a terrible time trying to get them to pose for a quick shot. On top of the squirm factor, M has never been good with looking at the camera- I have more pictures of the top of her head than I can count! 

My parents tried to trick them into looking at the camera. I begged for them to look at the camera. We all made goofy faces trying to get their attention. We tried to bribe them with promises of a treat in exchange for a smiley shot! NOTHING! We moved on worn out and defeated. 

I hate begging for a good picture. It turns the quick photo op into a battle- not really a memory that I want to capture. Sometimes it is just better to shrug it off and try again later.

Last night, I finally got the chance to review the "nightmare" of a photo shoot. The pictures were far from what I remember. Goes to show, candids are always better. A posed picture does not help you remember what your kids' personalities were like or what fun they were having.

I guess I learned my lesson on this one! 















So, what is my "life hack" for taking pictures of your kids? Don't try so hard! Go with the flow and take candids!






34 comments:

  1. Super fun. My favorite is the last one. They will treasure it when they get older!

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  2. They are so cute! I need to be better about not caring and just enjoy the candids!

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  3. Adorable pictures. Great memories for sure.

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  4. You're definitley on to something because I CAN NOT get both of my boys to smile nicely at the same time for one stinkin' picture.

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  5. I can never get the grandkids to pose the way I want them to. So I have to just go with it. The pics still turn out good. Your pics are great!

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  6. I can't get the grandkids to pose, so I just go with the flow. They still turn out great. Your pics are cute!

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  7. Aww! Your photos turned out great and they are adorable! I always hate trying to get everyone to let me take a photo, it turns into a chore - especially with teens who refuse to look at the camera!

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  8. Candids are better anyhow. My girls love to pose, I wish I could get more candids!

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  9. I love all of these picture! You got some great shots. My favorite photos of my nieces are always the candids because it captures life as they really are.

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  10. I couldn't agree more, don't try too hard. When the right moment comes just start shooting photos. I much rather have candid photos of my kids. Your kids are adorable.

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  11. I love taking candids. They make me smile. And happy when the camera has batteries. lol!!

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  12. I think your candid photos are so cute and perfect! I gave up trying to take pictures of my toddler. Sometimes the candids come out good enough!

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  13. Love it! I've always noticed that while posed shots look 'nice', the candids are always the ones that capture the memories, the laughter, and the silliness of the moment. I have a ton of candids with friends and they every time I look at them I always bust out laughing and smiling ^.^

    I love all these candids of your kids!

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  14. How adorable! You got some great shots! Your kids are beautiful

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  15. Yes, the candids really show their personality so much more. And isn't that what we want to capture anyhow?

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  16. I feel like there is a lot of candy and snacks involved when it comes to taking good pics of my kiddos.

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  17. Candid shots or "of the moment" spots are always the best in my opinion. They always seem to capture the emotion and feeling of that time!

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  18. Natural pictures taken as they happen are the best. Much more realistic then staged pictures.

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  19. i LOVE the one of big sis kissing little bro!! also, bribery is fine.

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  20. Those are lovely and precious photos of your kiddos! Sometimes, candid shots are excellent choice to capture genuine and unique emotion. :)

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  21. Love the memories you captured there! I totally agree, and would much rather take more in-action photos, than just posed.

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  22. I like the candid shots. Those are where you get the real smiles. Personality just doesn't come through with posed pictures.

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  23. I love the fist pump in the end! Gorgeous pictures of your babies!

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  24. I love the fist pump at the end! Gorgeous shots of your babies!

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  25. Great tips! You captured your kids and their energy so well

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  26. They are so cute. I have learned to just enjoy all moments captured ... never do all 3 want a pic at same time without making silly faces to be honest.

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  27. I love your candid pics - and the lighting is so wonderful! Candids look better than staged, posed photos, anyway!

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  28. What great tips! I love your pictures!

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  29. My son never stops moving so he is always blurry in our pics! I am trying hard to take him outside and get him focused on the camera lens. He does like to take selfies though. Go figure.

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  30. I always love the shots that show my kids' personalities. So much better than just posed!

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  31. I definitely think just random shots of your kids always turn out the best. I definitely love my dslr though it has helped a lot in getting non-blurry pictures of my daughter. lol

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  32. I love your candids of your kids! What very cute photos!

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  33. One thing about taking pictures of kids is that some of the best shots are the candid just catch them in action shots.

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  34. They look so cute in these photos. Sometimes you just have to let kids relax and be themselves to get great photos.

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