School is OUT and as you can see, the Martin family is on VACATION this week (and next!) I thought it would be fun to give some pro suggestions on how to document your own family fun this summer.
1. The BEST camera is the one you have
Don't stress about what kind of camera you're using to capture your children at the pool or the beach or the park. We all have phones and every generation those built-in cameras just get better and better. Don't forget to grab some video clips too!
2. But if you do have a DSLR or nicer camera...
I try and set a day each week to pull mine out (or more often if there's an activity I know I want good photos of.) When we're at the beach, I bring it out every three days or every other day. For me, that's the perfect balance of being present but also making sure I record the memories I want.
3. Don't forget the details
That tiny chubby baby hand covered in sand, that curl at the nape of a toddlers' neck, the freckles on the bridge of a child's nose kissed by the summer sun... We all know that babies don't keep so make sure you zoom! And the sound of a happy giggle or the squeal of a child splashing should be preserved too so make sure you snap a video.
4. But get the bigger picture too
Details are my favorite, but don't forget to step back and get a wider shot of your vacation or daily surroundings too.
5. Get involved and play
Don't worry about frizzy summer hair or any of the other million excuses to avoid being photographed with your children. You will never get these days back and I promise your children will be so grateful to have photos of you together.
6. Let the children get involved too
Give them an old point and shoot or let responsible children borrow your phone. Yes, they'll fill your camera roll in moments but the beauty of digital is the easy cull. You'll get to see your summer days from their perspective. You can even charge them with making sure you're in some of the photos too!
7. Hide the crowds
Sometimes people will say "how did you get that photo without so many other people in it?" It's all about the angle. If you can't be on the beach or anywhere else early enough to beat crowds, just adjust how your angle until you crop all (or most) of them out!
8. Don't want for a special day
Document the everyday. The joy in sleeping in. A lazy rainy day watching movies. An afternoon break reading on the sofa. These moments are every bit as important as the ones you save and plan for.
9. Chase the light
I almost didn't include this one as I wasn't intending this list to be at all technical, but there's a reason that I keep my sessions to golden hour. It's universally the most flattering light for everyone. In the summer, the early morning blue hour just as the sun begins to light the sky is also a favorite.
10. Turn those photos INTO something!
Don't let your photos just sit on your hard drive or in your camera, make something. There are a zillion ways to turn your photos into books and available at every price point - services like Blurb help you create heirlooms and Shutterfly and Chatbooks will even do the layout work for you. This year I ordered a GIANT print of my son surfing from Smallwoods and highly recommend them. Print.Those.Photos!
Wishing everyone a relaxing start to summer!!