A good friend of mine recently told me that one simple 'tip' to photographing her kids has helped her get better photos of her children consistently. I thought. Wow! I did that?! That is awesome! So, I thought... why not share. Maybe a few of my tricks will help you capture better daily photos of your own kids too. Here are three SIMPLE tools that I think are important in photographing your own kids.
1. Get down on their level. Towering above them is one viewpoint yes. But getting down on their level, you begin to see them in a whole new light. Lay on the floor. Crouch, squat. You get the idea.
2. Connect with them. Let them forget that you have a camera in your hand (however have it on and in your hand). Don't make a big deal out of 'taking photos'. Make it fun. Sing songs, play games and connect first. Shoot next. Stop trying to make them stop what they are doing and smile. Do anything to get a laugh. Saying "SMILE" or "CHEESE" may work for some, but my favorite photos are the real laughs and the ones that are truly in the moment. Bryce always hated having his photo taken (poor guy ended up with a photographer) and I can recall a time while I was taking his photo with Maisie he admitted that he didn't like it because he didn't know what to do. I felt truly silly. I told him to ignore me, and just "be" with Maisie. Now, he gets it, and photos are rarely painful (anymore) for him... I think. Having a great expensive camera is awesome, but not if you can't let everyone relax and have a good time and have fun taking photos of your life. Tickling, songs, counting... anything.
3. Keep your camera (your "good one" if you have one) somewhere that is easily accessible, with charged batteries and a memory card in it. You are FAR more likely to take photos if your camera isn't tucked away in it's safe little hiding spot. I keep a camera out all the time. I find it is easier when she is being super adorable to just grab the camera and take a few photos.
My last 'tip' is to photograph it all. Document your lives. But PLEASE back up all of your photos onto external hard drives or cds/dvds something! No one wants to loose precious photos, and believe me... it can happen to anyone, at any time.
Help? A bit? Hope so! Happy Easter Weekend!!!!
Here are a few favorites of my girl at the beach in her birthday tutu. xo
Mother's Day is just around the corner. Let's face it... (not to discredit all the amazing work that you incredible Daddy's do) but Moms... we work. Hard. We are on duty.... always. 
Spring seems to mean me falling in love with beautiful babies!
Meet my sleepy friend Jackson. His session was a perfect example of why it is positively dreamy to photograph a newborn within the first two weeks. They tend to just sleep, and sleep and sleep the session away. My dreamy little pal was the perfect angel and his calm, loving parents always watching with a smile.
Newborns. There's nothing quite like them.
12 days in the world little Jackson, and melting hearts all over.
I love babies. I mean, I really love babies.
Something you may not know about me, is that I pride myself on being a bit of a baby whisperer. No joke.
It must often irritate my tired new parents to come in only to have me say "I know this sounds crazy... but give me your baby". Then the baby dance... then... quiet baby. Now, don't get me wrong this may all change tomorrow. (in which case I will curse my gloating about being a baby whisperer all over the internet) But, up to this point, I can usually calm down a frantic baby. Granted I couldn't always do this beloved technique with my own baby... but that's not the point.
I love babies. I am determined to get them to love me too. I love this little man, and this gorgeous family.
Little Jacob was a victim of my baby whispering and I was purely enraptured with his beautiful face. I enjoyed every little moment of baby snuggles and can't thank Amanda and Dean for sharing their precious creation with me.
The pleasure was truly all mine.
It appears April 5th is a perfect day to be born.
Not only was my little Maisie Lu born on April 5th, but my mom was also born that date (a few years prior).