5 Tips for a Family Snapshot at Easter or any other Holiday

It doesn't have to be perfect - make it a memory.

There may or may not have been a couple bribes bargained to get there, but you finally have the kids, yourself, your significant other, and maybe even a few extra family members all spit shined in your newest spring duds.

And you have a brilliant idea - why not take a picture?



I mean, you are all dressed up, faces are somewhat clean, and you are pretty sure you can coax a few smiles with promises of chocolate bunnies after lunch. So why wouldn't you do it?

Absolutely do it!

Grab whatever recording device you can find and snap those photos. Don't bemoan that the batteries are dead in your camera, just open the Instagram app and capture this moment.

Trust me, seize the moment.

That was our Easter morning every year when I was growing up. Minus Instagram, of course! My brothers and I would line up on the porch for a quick photo before getting into the car to head to church.

Here are a few tips to help with your own family photos:

1. Make time for the photos. Get everyone ready 15 minutes earlier so that you have the time to take a photo. Whether you decide to do it before church or when you get to Grandma's house, make the time for pictures.

2. Get in the photo yourself. Most cameras have a timer that you can press to give yourself 10 seconds to get in the picture before the photo is taken. Use this feature! Set the camera on a chair or another solid surface and then hug your kids and smile.

3. Create a tradition with the location you shoot your photo at. Maybe it's on your porch, standing by the railing like we did when I was a kid. Or it could be everyone squeezed together on the couch.

All the kids at Grandma's house.

4. Don't worry about smiles. Tell a joke, do a group hug, tickle some toes, or make some silly noises. The natural smiles and laughter that follow will be much better than "cheesy" grins.

5. Have fun. The "perfect" shot may not be the one with all eyes open and staring at the camera. Your favorite moment might be the one where your son is looking up at dad making mooing sounds while your daughter is tangling her fingers in your hair.

You are making memories and freezing those moments in time.

If you haven't done a family photo lately, it's not too late. Do it today.

My boys and I last year. We have chosen the couch as our traditional spot for a photo.

Tyann Marcink
documenting life
marcinkdesigns.com

Best Camera to Use and Resolutions 2013

A question many people will ask a photographer is: "Which camera is the best one?"

Well...there is a vast array of cameras available to the consumer, whether you are snapping family shots, a hobbyist photographer, an amateur, or a professional. In addition, there is a myriad of different lenses available for the cameras, each lens having either specific super powers or general super powers in what conditions and situations in how they perform the best.

So after you have culled through all the different options of cameras until you are bleary eyed and are just plain ready for someone to hand you a camera that is magically the one you need and desire..here is the answer to that deep question of which camera is the best...

Are you ready?

The answer will not only be eye-opening, but life-changing...

Here it is:

The best camera is...the one you have with you.

Yes, you read that right.

The best camera is not a particular brand, not a specific size, doesn't cost a minimum dollar amount to be the best one...it's the camera you have with you. A fancy DSLR with a sweet lens and nifty neck strap sitting snugly in your camera bag hanging on the coat rack inside is worthless (as far as capturing family memories) when you are watching your children build a snowman and the Kodak moment is about to slip away. The best camera just might be your smartphone in your hand.

Last snowman of 2012. Shot with HTC OneX smartphone, processed with Instagram filter Willow.

Surprised?

While going through my family photos for 2012 (as a part of my New Year's resolution), I realized that not a single photo in November was taken with my DSLR...every single family memory was captured with my phone. The snapshots may not be technically correct, but if I hadn't snapped with my phone, I wouldn't even have the bit of tangible preservation of the memory.

You may question "Why didn't I just grab my DSLR at those moments?" I asked myself the same question during those moments. And these were my answers:

• My good camera wasn't within reach before the moment would be over. (Shooting targets at Thanksgiving.)
• I just didn't feel like making people wait while I am grabbing the good camera. (Birthday cake being lit and song about to be sung.)
• I was already carrying too many items and had to prioritize. (Leading a classroom party for 4th graders, including games and snack.)
• The event or activity wasn't of such importance that my good camera was a must. (Playing with friends and making cookies.)

So on to my resolutions for 2013:

1. Take more everyday photos of my family.
2. Hand my camera off so that I can be in more family photos.
3. Cull through photos each time I download them from the memory card and delete any unacceptable ones immediately.
4. Back up family photos each month.
5. Create a photobook for the previous year, or more.
6. Print more photos, and print them big.

Would you like to learn more about taking better photos of your family? Join me this year at my Sweet & Simple Workshops as I help you learn more about creating photographs, simply and easily.