Let’s chat about capturing everyday moments of your family. Some of my favorite photos of my girls are ones that I’ve taken at home. Pictures of them playing, sleeping, eating, taking a bath, or even reading a book. What better way to catch candid moments than the ones where everyone is comfortable at home? Even if it doesn’t feel that way, those ordinary, mundane moments are so special to look back on and remember how you spent your days. You don’t have to have a fancy camera or be a professional photographer either. You can take great photos with your phone! I’ve got the best tips for you right here in this blog post.
Oh, and one of the biggest benefits of taking photos at home is being able to hop in them with your kids. Us moms are usually the ones taking the pictures, but it’s important to step out from behind the camera every now and then and be present in your memories. It’s so simple to do with a smartphone too. So no more excuses!
So, here are some super simple tips for how to take better pictures at home…
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1. Make Sure Your Phone Lens Is Clean.
I know it seems obvious or maybe you don’t think that is necessary, but it definitely is, especially when you want to make sure you’re taking good quality pictures at home. Our phones, even the lenses, come in contact with so many things on a daily basis. Think about it – the sticky fingers, dirty tables, the bathroom, the park, your pockets. All of that will make your lens dirty. So, before you start snapping away, take a soft lens cloth and give your phone a quick clean. It could honestly make a big difference.
2. Use Natural Light
You don’t need fancy studio lights or even a ring light to get good quality photos, you just need to use natural light to your advantage. Natural light is going to be your best friend when you’re taking photos from home, it looks the most natural (duh), creates better quality & doesn’t put any funky color on your picture.
Smartphones have come a long way, you guys remember back in the early 2000s those blurry fuzzy selfies right? So, yes they have come a LONG way but again, we still need good quality light to create those pictures you actually want to save, print & share.
When you’re home taking photos, find a room with a lot of windows and turn off the overhead lights. Yes, turn them off! You don’t want any funky yellow color casts from your lights affecting your photo. Pull back your curtains, open the blinds and let in as much natural light as you possibly can. Not only is it good for your picture, it is also good to let some sunshine in for your body & your mood (win win).
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3. Try Different Angles & Perspectives
You never know if you’re going to like the angle of your photo or the background of the picture, so it’s a good idea to change it up every few shots so that you have some options! A good angle that is usually a crowd favorite is putting your phone up high. Getting a higher perspective gives you a bird’s eye view of what’s in the frame. Another fun perspective is getting super low. If you’re taking a picture of your kids, this angle can make them seem larger than life. One of my favorites is framing. You can do this easily with a doorway or a window. They both create a natural frame around whatever is in your picture. The goal is to play around and have fun!
4. Keep Your Camera Close.
This is an easy one if you’re using your smartphone to capture everyday photos, but if you like taking pictures with a DSLR (like I do), keep it somewhere you can grab it quickly. Choose a spot where little hands can’t get it though! I have mine in a basket that sits on a side table in my kitchen since that’s where most of the action happens.This tip will help you tons with the next one on our list too.
5. Look For Interactions & Special Moments
A smiling photo is great and we LOVE when we get those, but I’ve heard from so many moms that detail shots and candid moments are what makes them melt. Laughter, hugs, holding hands, silly faces, playing together, all of it. Your secret weapon here is using your powers of anticipation. If your kids are doing something together and you anticipate that something cute is about to happen, grab your camera. You know your kids the best – use that to your advantage. And if you’re having trouble capturing the love and connection you’re looking for, be an observer for a day. Watch how your kids play, together and on their own. How do they interact with each other? What do you notice? What about each one of your kids do you want to remember forever?
Hope this helps! Cannot wait to see what memories you capture with these tips! You got this mama!