Photography tricks and tips?

A wee sleeping beauty

I do not know much about taking good photos.  I have to snap away about a hundred times before I get maybe one picture I love.

I love digital cameras.

I used to take a lot more pictures of the kids all sitting and smiling nicely for the camera.  Well, that's what I wanted them to do. Ack! Kids are frustrating to photograph, right?

But, now, meh.

Don't get me wrong. They are still frustrating to photograph. And threatening them isn't the best motivating force to get a natural smile, right? 

So, I try to look for other interesting shots I can snag of them.


My friend, Sundi likes to get her kids dressed up all cute, take them to the park or some place interesting, set them loose and click away. She gets amazing shots of her kids this way.


Zoe while playing blocks.

 I try to take pictures with a lot of natural light and without that obnoxious flash.  I like to catch the kids in the moment of whatever they're doing.

I like to try shooting them from different angles.





Sam, on our trip to California.

 I also like to tilt the camera when I'm taking a vertical shot.



Zoe has Weston wrapped around
her sweet little finger.





 I like to catch shots of them interacting with each other.



Zoe, is the water a bit chilly?







 

I like to try for some sillouette shots.



 If we're going some place scenic, I like to have my camera. What am I saying? I always like to have my camera with me.

I like to follow my family around and grab shots of them.





My cold and sandy feet. December is not
the best time to visit the beach. But
we still had fun!



I like to try for some unusual shots. I love playing around with my camera.  I take alot of dumb photos. Luckily I can just erase them!



Daring Bikers.



I like to get shots of the kids in some of their favorite places. The boys love going to this empty lot nearby with all these bike paths and hills to zoom down.  





Weston deep in thought at Legoland.







I love shots of them being natural. No cheesy grins. Just them, doing whatever they're doing.



Ryan got a shot of me loving my wee monkey girl.



And then after I get shots, I like to crop them and play with the lighting or coloring. I just have some software from Kodak that came with our camera.  I'd love to try some other software out, but I don't know about any of them. I don't even know what I'd want to try!

And I got one of him, too.

 So, what about all of you? Do you have any photography tricks or tips?

I'd love to hear them!