How to Get Those Candid Photos

Everybody wants those candid photos, you know the ones... the ones that look like you weren't even taking pictures, let alone at a photoshoot with a professional photographer...
Guess what?! I am about to spill the secret sauce that will get your those candid photos too.. (even with your cellphone shots)! 

STEP 1.  IF YOU WANT A CANDID MOMENT STOP SAYING:
"SAYYYY CHEEEESEEEEE",  "SMILE",  "STOP AND lOOK AT THE CAMERA".... etc, etc. 
As soon as someone knows the camera is out or is told to smile, it becomes posed! It's no longer "a natural moment", so how can we expect someone to "act natural"... it just doesn't happen! (unless you are taking pictures of an experienced model, and I don't know about you, but in my case.. that's not my year and a half old, or myself and husband, for sure).

STEP 2. START PLAYING.
When you want someone to "Act Natural",  you need them to FEEL natural. Telling them to do an action (even something as simple as walking) helps their brain to think of the action they are doing, and not the camera... getting a natural expression and a true candid moment.
Piggy back rides, walking, jumping, skipping, telling kids to pick up flowers, to play chase, etc, etc. Any form of "play", or action will help!

STEP 3. PAY ATTENTION TO THE DETAILS.
BE QUICK TO CAPTURE THE LITTLE MOMENTS WHEN NO ONE IS PAYING ATTENTION.
BE QUICK WITH YOUR CAMERA WHEN SEE THAT SOMETHING CUTE, FUN, OR SPECIAL IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN. WITHOUT BEING GLUED TO YOUR PHONE, YOU CAN STILL CAPTURE LIFE'S LITTLE MOMENTS AS THEY HAPPEN NATURALLY. JUST LEARN TO LOOK OUT FOR THOSE SPECIAL MOMENTS AS THEY HAPPEN.

STEP 4. PUT THE CAMERA DOWN
(this one is for cell phone pictures)
If you want some fun photos with your kids, go play with them! Get out of your comfort zone behind the camera. Join the fun for a few minutes. Ask a stranger to take your photo while you all play or laugh or run. Set a self timer, set up your phone to record, and then have so much fun that you forget it's there. Embrace the moments, teach your kids by example to enjoy every minute... to use the camera to document real life, the every day little moments. Life is messy and fun and beautiful, so make the most of these amazing pieces of technology that freeze the moments that otherwise fly by way too fast! 

Here are some examples of me using the self timer on my phone!

Read the blog post "What Do I Do With All My Photos??"