Taking pictures is such an amazing way to capture human emotion. A good picture not only records a moment in time, it reflects feelings! I took this picture of my youngest daughter Maddie a few months ago. I love it because it's taken at a unique angle (I turned the picture upside down but I was actually standing behind her head) and because she is so relaxed and peaceful just hanging out on the landing to our stairs.
What I want you to do for your first exercise is try to capture this authentic human emotion. Let's say for example your subject is your child. Let's try to think about what he likes to do best. Does he enjoy being in a certain room or outside? Put him there. Does he enjoy a specific activity or toy? Let him have it. And then here's what you do... just relax. Let him play, let him have fun! If he enjoys running around with his superman cape on then you'll never get a more true smile. If it's his trucks or trains, it's OK! When your child is in his or her element they are truly soaking up life and giving you all of the "real stuff". You will be amazed at what you get, I promise you. You don't need to make them look at the camera and smile all the time, that's not what it's all about. You want to capture them being just "them" with nothing more. And take lots of pictures! This digital age gives us such flexibility! Like my husband said once, "We don't like 'em? We throw 'em away!" Please try and remember that your camera is not a machine gun, but in the same breath don't be afraid to keep snapping a good thing. Here is a photo I took of my daughter that I particularly enjoy because it really captured her personality. A plastic smile just wouldn't produce the same feeling...
Lastly I chose to share a photo SOOC (Straight Out Of the Camera - or unedited) that I took of my girls this past summer in the back yard. I purposely gave them these little homemade popsicles because I knew they would sit still for a minute to eat them, then sat them on a little IKEA table (again to help keep them together in one spot). I took a few pictures, nothing special, but my patience was rewarded when Maddie suddenly rested her head on Brianna's shoulder. I really wanted to capture my kids enjoying each other's company, so for me this was a great shot! My point is that your photos don't have to look professional to be great, and that everyday moments can be beautiful too.
I'd love to see the results you come up with! Please post a link in the comments section or email me your photo! If you have any specific questions or would like me to address a certain topic let me know!
love the grumpy one!
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