The snow has melted, the grass is getting greener, and spring has officially sprung.  Easter is here and that means sweet little bow ties, patent leather shoes, frilly pastel-colored dresses and matching bonnets, precious moments, and chocolate-filled baskets. It’s the perfect holiday to pull out your camera and capture loving moments before church, during an Easter egg hunt, or at a relative’s house visiting with family and loved ones.

In photography it is important to pay attention to your available lighting. The number one place to capture those stand-out portraits or even those classic snapshots will be outside, in the natural light. More often than not we, as photographers, want the light source behind us.  Sometimes, though, this may wash your subject out, and since they will probably be in soft colored clothes that wouldn’t be so good for your picture. Instead of the light source being behind you when you shoot, try to have it coming in from an angle; basically speaking, aim for [the sun] to shine over your right or left shoulder on to your subject. Also, when taking portraits inside strive to take photos near a window, for diffused lighting effect. Posing near a window, using diffused natural light, will give you a soft look to your image; making it look absolutely magical, in a frame, on your wall, or imprinted on a photo book or calendar.

Here are some tips to make your Easter portraits memorable:

• Try not to over-pose. Instead, ask your children to hold hands and follow them as they walk by a row of flowers or take a shot of them walking away from you. This creates a timeless portrait that Grandmas go crazy for.
• Have fun. One fun pose to try is where you have your children lie down, with their heads coming together, and shoot from above. Posing them this way is a different take on traditional portraits.
• Don’t worry about smiles or eye-contact.  Some of the best pictures don’t have either.
• Embrace the mess. Church is over and it’s time to dig into the Easter chocolates; don’t worry about a choco-face.  Snap away and capture the candid fun!

The day is long and the sun is shining. There are pool parties, slip and slides, baby pools, and backyard barbecues.  Summer is here and it’s time to pick up your trusty digital camera and snap away while enjoying everything from the big surf to the local water park.   Needless-to-say a summer day is perfect in so many ways when it comes to snapping pictures of your kids while they frolic and play.

How’s a summer day perfect for those priceless family photo treasures?

1. Your light source, the sun, is your best friend.
2. The grass is bright green and will provide the perfect contrast for your little one(s).
3. Flowers are abundant and make a great prop or backdrop.
4. There’s just so much going on in the summer from family reunions to lazy days around the pool to the yearly vacation at the beach.

Preserving these sun-filled memories will allow you to make neat photo collages or you can opt to bind your memories in a precious photo book or photo cards.   Maybe you might like to make your own video montage set to some upbeat tunes.   There are many various programs out there that make doing these types of video simple and fun.  Whatever you choose to do with your summer time pictures, it’s bound to be great.

Most importantly, though, you will be able to share–with all your loved ones–your family’s fun filled days of summer!   Oh, and don’t forget the sunscreen!

Halloween is such a fun occasion to photograph; every year holds something different for your little ghosts and goblins.  From fun family parties filled with apple bobbing, powdered donut consumption, and apple cider to hayrides at the local cornmaze, there are bound to be plenty of moments that you will want to capture with your camera this fall.

Here are five tips to make your photography really pop this Halloween:

#1: Document Your Fieldtrips

There are pumpkin patches to visit, corn mazes to find your way through, hayrides to bump along on, and apple orchards from which to fill your bushels.  No matter where you and your family go this fall, there are some great opportunities for candid and posed pictures alike.  Use natural light to your advantage and remember to get creative with those angles and perspectives.

#2: Photograph the Process

It’s always fun to dress up.  Halloween is a favorite for that factor.  So, wouldn’t it be fun to watch the progress or you can do before and after shots of the little ones you are dressing up.   This is especially fun if your son or daughter is getting made up.  You could take a picture before the make up, during the process, and then the finished face;  showcasing a great transformation of character.   Move in close for an up-close and creative shot and tell the story.

#3:  Catch Your Trick-or-Treaters

Be prepared to snap pictures of the neighborhood children as they approach your door.  This would be interesting to share with your neighbors, making the pictures available to them for print.  Or maybe you and your little ones would like to give them prints as a little post Halloween treat.   No matter what you do it woul be a nice way to remember the time by creating a special album.  Don’t forget to use your night-time setting on your camera!

#4:  Having a Party?  Be a Photographer

Costume parties are a great place to capture some fun.  Maybe you are having an all kid party, or maybe you are having an adult themed costume party?   Regardless, make sure you keep your trusty digital camera handy to snap those great moments.   Bobbing for apples, a costume karaoke contest,  a splendid Halloween craft session, what have you… be sure to remember it all by being the photographer.

#5:  Set the Mood

You can get creative and use some lighting to set the mood of posed pictures.   Also, don’t forget to take pictures of your carved jack-o-lanterns which will make a great prop for your posed pictures, too.   When photographing your little ones that are old enough to ham it up, ask them to really do so.  Tell them to get into their character whether it be a doctor, a zombie, or a pop star.

Just remember to have fun in capturing all the fun!