How to Get Photos of Family Events Without Missing The Party
As a busy mom watching her kids grow up waaaaay too fast, you probably do everything in your power to photograph your little ones. We take photos to try and bottle up their smallness. We hope to remember the moments of their lives as they go whizzing by.
But if you’re anything like me, sometimes it’s challenging to strike a balance between being ‘in the moment’ with them, and behind the lens of a camera too. In this article I’ll show you how you can capture some beautiful memories, while still being present to make those memories with your family.
Photo Source: Joanna Wright
When I work with moms in my photography classes, I’m often asked for advice on how to best capture the big moments like birthday parties, holidays, and family events. I like to jokingly reply, “Hire a professional”. Yes this is an ideal solution so that you don’t miss out on any of the action during these special days! However, hiring a professional photographer is an investment us frugal mamas just don’t have the resources for every time a life event comes along.
Fortunately, I have a couple tricks up my sleeve that make it much easier to balance my time behind the lens.
5 Tips for Taking Great Photos of Birthdays or Celebrations Without Missing The Party
Note – this tips list was written prior to the pandemic. These tips still work for the smaller family gatherings we’re having at this time.
1. Make a shot list – Visualize what you want your photos to look like before the day even happens and write your thoughts down! For events like birthday parties, I like to tell the story of the day, and capture every last detail. Ideas for a birthday might include:
-
- the party favors,
- the cake,
- my daughter all dressed up,
- her hugging and loving on family.
Any photo I can dream up, it goes on the list. I don’t typically carry my list around with me during the event, but the process of writing it down leaves photo ideas fresh in my mind.
2. Don’t forget to pre-party – This is a great time to stage a few photos.
- I always like to ‘stage’ a few photos and get them out of the way before the event even begins! For example, I like to get solo shots of my birthday girl in her party dress BEFORE guests arrive. After the party starts there’s the risk of her spilling her grape juice or dropping cake on her party clothes. Anything I can do to get staged pictures early on is key. I also like to get my detail shots prior to the party when everything is still neat and untouched. Plus, getting these shots ahead of time frees up more time for me to interact with the party guests once the fun begins. It also allows my kid to enjoy herself instead of pulling her away from the action to pose.
3) Look for light
- The key to making your camera work best and capture clear photos is having lots of light available. Depending on your location, you may not have the option to let light in. If light is lacking, using flash may be inevitable. But when we do a party at home, I try to set up in a location in our house that I know allows decent natural light to come streaming in.
4) Use continuous shooting mode
- Most cameras have the option to take one shot, or a series of shots each time the shutter-button is pushed. That series option is called Continuous Shooting Mode. It has saved me countless hours behind the lens of my camera! By taking multiple shots at a time, I do end up with A LOT more photos on my memory card, but typically the time it takes to get the ‘1 in a million’ photo of my child smiling at the camera comes a lot quicker than if I was taking one shot at a time. And once I get that shot, I can put the camera away for awhile and get back to partying!
5) Have a ‘second shooter’ on hand
- Last and more importantly, ask for help! If hiring a professional is out of your budget, find a trusted friend or family member who you can pass the camera to throughout the day. I’m sure they’d be more than willing to help you capture your event so you’re able to enjoy the day with your family instead of watching it all unfold through your viewfinder. And if you’ve made a shot list it’ll be easy to ask for help getting those.
About the Author:
Beryl Young got into photography to keep and share important family memories. She quickly found that it took a lot more than just clicking away to make images she really loved. After hours of practice and education she came up with some easy “recipes” for great photos with kids. She now teaches other moms how to use their cameras to connect with their family and savor childhood. You can learn about her online Momtography classes here.
Related posts on simple and enjoyable celebrations with kids:
10 Tips to Creating Holiday Traditions Your Family REALLY Loves
64 Positive Things to Say to Kids
Subscribe to Download your FREE printable of 64 Positive Things to Say to Kids
If that seems too easy increase the length of your foot for about 5-10 minutes
at first, during each run. sarcoidosis rash pictures: A Common Runner’s Injury Although sarcoidosis rash pictures occur most often during walking or running, on a road or the treadmill. Shin Splint Stretch – SittingSit in a chair with your knees straight. Your calf muscles run down the front of your lower leg muscles and your shins will thank you. Hold this position for 30 to 45 seconds.
Thanks for the tips. I am the one that is usually behind the camera at all family occasions. I am definitely an amateur but I do enjoy capturing the precious faces of my young family members. I have found that another good use of the continuous shooting mode is when the light is low in the room. If I try to shoot one picture at a time in low light I just end up with blurry pictures but if I use the continuous shooting mode then I can get several pictures that are in focus even in the low light.
PERFECT TIMING for this post…as my son’s party is this weekend and I somehow always seems super disappointed with the outcome of my photos. From not getting what I want, to not being in them at all…the business of the day always gets me!
I hope you’re able to put some of these tips to good use! Would love to hear how it goes Kerri. xo.
Glad you found the tips helpful…And we totally love our dining room set! Enjoy Continuous Shooting Mode, it is amazing. 🙂
Great ideas, Beryl! I am always afraid of missing the “perfect expression” shot, so I will be trying out continuous shooting mode next time!
Also, we have the same dining room set. Shows your good taste! 😀
I must admit, relying on someone else is really hard – I’ve been so grateful when people have offered to take shots on my camera in the past, but then when you see the photos, 9 times out of ten I am so disappointed. I think in these days of phone cameras, there are so many people not learning any basic skills of lighting or composition. Oh, and there is another thing I’ve struggled with …. trying to get the photos you want when everyone else is waving iphones in front of you. Love the idea of making a photo list, or even a pinterest board of shots you’d like. Thanks heaps for that idea. From past events, I’ve also learned to take shots prior to guests coming and also to leave a set of stepladders near where you’ll blow out the cake etc so you can get above the iphone crowd. (Then I set the camera on video at the top of the steps and let it record for a while.
Linda, I agree with you about relying on someone. It can be so hard to trust someone else with your photos, especially if its someone who has no photography background. I LOVE your stepladder idea. I’m totally going to try that one at my daughter’s next party!
Thanks so much for this. I’ve got my girl’s 3rd birthday coming up and I think the continuous shot tip is great. I always get one of her eyes half closed or her turning away just after a beautiful, beaming smile at the camera.
Also delegating the photos with our own camera to someone else for moments like blowing out the candles that I’d like to be involved with. Thanks again!
Tracie
Glad that these tips were timely for you Tracie! And I’d love to hear how it goes once you try them. Good luck! xo.
A list of shots! BRILLIANT! Thank you.
Glad you found it helpful! Would love to hear what kind of list you come up with. xo.