They’re not gonna stay still for long, so whether you’re taking photos on a phone or with a DSLR camera, here are a few quick steps to capturing the memories in the best way possible.

1. Get on their eye-level. Whether it’s a baby or an adult, the most natural way to connect with someone (in life or in a photo) is to be on the same plain. Have your camera lens as low down as the kid.
2. Put a fun sticker or something shiny on the phone case or on top of the camera. Getting their attention is hard enough, make it something that keeps them interested.
3. Get enough light. If they’re on the move in a dull or dark room, the photos will often be blurry as the camera or phone will keep the shutter open long enough to get enough light to form an image. Photos outside on sunny days, use a flash bounced off the ceiling, or just turn on a few more lamps and you’ll get sharp photos every time.
4. Get candid. The best photos aren’t posed. Capture the scene of your children naturally enjoying themselves or immersed in an activity rather than trying to convince them to hold a forced smile.
5. Have your camera ready! Nothing is a fun-stopper worse than someone saying “Nobody move, I just need to open up my phone, eerr oh come on! silly phone. Ok, smile!”
6. Just ONE photographer. If you’re at a group gathering, have a dedicated person that will be taking the photos and send them around afterwards. Nothing is worse than people getting in the way of others trying to grab a cute snap. The kids don’t know where to look.
7. Mix it up. Take wide shots of the whole scene and close-ups where the whole frame is taken up by a face. If you’re looking at an album later, the variety will make the memories come to life.
8. Be silly. A natural laugh or real smile makes for a much better photo.
9. Enjoy the process. Let taking photos of your family be a natural and unobtrusive part of any event or activity. Allow your subjects to play and relax. Better photos are from real life, not forced.

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