As a mom to older kiddos, I have to say that I am so thankful I documented their childhood as much as I possibly could!!

Now they aren’t as agreeable to being in front of the camera…yes, they love their own phone selfies…but usually grumble when I pull out my camera.  However, I am happy to say that they are slowly coming around and recently asked for some new portraits with each other.  I think it has something to do with older sis going off to college this past year and them realizing they won’t always have each other in their day to day lives.

But I want to encourage you to take your camera along with you even when it seems impossible to pack ONE MORE THING or to even remember to pull it out from the bag when you are trying to do a picnic lunch or do a little fishing.

When our girls were little, I always tried so hard to make sure I carried the camera along with us.  I mean, we were living in Hawaii when they were little and I knew these were once in a lifetime moments…but you know what, no matter where you live…you’ll be thankful you captured your day to day life with your sweet babies!!

I have 3 Tips to make capturing everyday life a little easier:

1- Have a great camera bag…and have it always ready to go.  I actually keep my camera stored in my camera bag so it’s ready to go at all times.  I keep my batteries charged and at least a few camera cards empty and ready for shooting.  I have a regular camera bag that I use for sessions…but we have a camera back pack my husband bought me for my birthday one year…here is the link to the Lowepro Slingshot 102 DSLR Sling Camera Bag” I have.  We have hiked with it, taken it to the beach, flown with it…basically it’s been all around the world with us.

2- Know that no task is too mundane to capture…you’ll be glad you captured them sitting on the cooler fishing. Or how they brushed the dog on the back porch.  Or how CrAzY their hair was first thing in the morning.  A simple moment of walking to the mailbox can lend itself to a great photo op.

3-  Use natural light to your advantage.  Make sure you are capturing them facing natural light sources in your home…have them facing a window or open door.  Sometimes you just have to snap when the opportunity presents itself, however, if you can bring them closer to a lightsource…go for it.  Try not to shoot images where their back is to a window or open door.  Also, make sure you bump up that ISO when indoors.  Typically I start shooting at around an 800 ISO because our house has decent natural light…but I’ve bumped it all the way to 2500 inside as well.

Just get out there and start shooting…practice…and then practice some more!!  And make sure you don’t miss sweet memories like toes off the dock!!