One of my many hobbies is photography. I almost always have a camera nearby. I feel funny when I don't, and I feel a little crazy when I see a shot and CAN'T take a picture.
Today I am going to share some of the ways I like to capture great summer photos of my family.
A huge part of what makes a photo great instead of just good is the angle with which it is taken. Taking pictures standing up in front of your subject the same way all the time can get old really fast. Here are some examples of changing your angles.
GET DOWN LOW
When you get down on the ground, sitting or lying down, your picture is completely different. Sometimes I just hold my camera down low and point it at my subject. Shooting low can get a lot more of the background, giving color and visual interest to your photo.
GET UP HIGH
I love finding ways to shoot from above my subjects. Sometimes there is a chair, table or stairs to stand on, but sometimes you just need to hold your camera up above and shoot down and see what you get.
GET CLOSE
Close shots are my favorite kind to shoot. I love catching detail that the wider photos miss, like nail polish, whiskers, bug legs, toad warts or colors of rocks.
FIND A REFLECTION
Finding reflections is easy when you start looking. Sunglasses, windows, rain puddles and even hubcaps can provide a fun way for the photographer to be in the picture, too.
Another way to get a good shot in the summer is to BE in the action. Being close to the action gives a different feel to the photos; people can tell you are there, not just observing. You have to willing to take some risks with your camera. You can't play it safe all the time if you want some really unique photos.
GET MESSY
In order get pictures of your kids getting messy, you have to let them get messy! And when they do, be ready with your camera for all the smiles and fun.
GET WET
Water play caught in photos makes for an awesome picture almost every time. Catching the drops of water midair gives an interactive feel to the picture, letting the person looking at it feel as if they are there.
And lastly, when looking for excellent summer photos, you have to consider the light. Morning and dusk are the ideal times for pictures outdoors. The golden light at both times gives a soft glow on skin and all around that most photographers love.
FIND THE LIGHT
My favorite time of year for photography is summer. The colors are vivid, the sun is bright, and the kids are happy most of the time.
I hope you feel encouraged today to get out there and try some new angles, take some risks, get a close-up action shot, and look for the golden light.
Happy Shooting!
