Taking The Perfect Family Photos And Videos

Capturing those heart-warming family images means that you will have something to look back on in the future. Particularly if you have younger children, who can grow up so fast, taking the time to shoot them really does later remind you of the early years which can go by in something of a blur. However, just using a phone to take the odd snap or video means that you are unlikely to get images that will truly stand the test of time.

Instead, it is worth investing in digital SLR camera which will be good for stills and a separate digital camcorder for video recording. Although many of these devices do both jobs, it is preferable to use the right one with the specialist functionality.

The Importance of the Moment

Taking a family photograph is about snapping a moment in time and capturing it in some way. Just like when shooting a video clip, don’t spend too long worrying about your equipment and light conditions or you end up removing yourself from the action to some degree. Think of yourself more like a sports photographer trying to capture that special moment, unique in time. Leave portraiture to professionals and go for more intimate family-
focused photography. This way, you’ll be able to look back on the images of your loved ones and remember just how you felt at the time, with them, as opposed to being something of a bystander, merely observing events.

Tricks of the light

When making an image, point in the direction of your subject matter, for instance of your family playing a game. Try to hone in on a single aspect of the activity such as a reaction or a smile. Remember that you can crop and zoom in on digitally created images later, so don’t be overly fussy about the layout of the shot. However, if possible take an image with a certain amount of depth of field. For this, it is usually advisable to have some foreground interest which will make the shot that more dynamic. When videoing using a digital camcorder, try to avoid swinging it around in a forlorn effort to capture every moment. Keeping the lens relatively still makes for much more watchable videos - even of fun events where there is lots going on. You’ll get the context when watching back years afterwards and be aware of things going on that are not even on camera.

What to Shoot

Family events like birthday parties, holidays and school sports days all make for great family

viewing. However, try some images of less obvious events, as well, such as a story time session with a toddler. Sometimes something as normal as a family meal around the dinner table can make for a great domestic subject matter, so don’t be afraid to shoot the everyday.