As parents, we all long to take nice family photos but sometimes our cameras and photography skills simply aren't up to scratch. It's true what they say — the days are long, but the years are short. Before it's all over in a flash, it's important to fill up the picture frames, photo books and social feeds with your precious family moments.
Holly Brunnbauer, from Motherhood Melbourne, is a mum of two boys. She'd love to share her camera selection with you and help you find the perfect camera — plus she has some extra tips on how to take great photos of your kids.
If the mother in your life is always reaching for her camera or smartphone trying to capture life's precious moments but is often frustrated by the results, read on to discover the perfect camera and tips to capture great family moments this Mother's Day.
Table of contents
- About Holly's camera choice
- Kid-friendly photo tips to share with mum
- Finding the perfect camera for Mother's Day
- Encourage mum to use her camera for success
About Holly's camera choice
I personally use the Sony Alpha range of mirrorless cameras, and there are a few reasons these cameras are perfect for me. Firstly, they are compact and light — as a mum of two young boys, this makes it easy to pack for family outings without being weighed down when I'm also carrying the baby and nappy bag.
Another nifty feature is built-in Wi-Fi, which means I can instantly share images from my camera to my phone — a real time-saver. But the real winning feature for me is fast burst shooting. When you hold down the shutter button, you can capture several photographs in quick succession. This is handy for wildlife photography, but for me it's perfect for keeping up with my boys who give The Flash a run for his money.
Image credit: Jess Worrall Photography
Kid-friendly photo tips to share with mum
1. Let them play
If you wait for kids to sit or stand perfectly still, you'll probably never get a photo of them. Photograph your kids playing — it makes the photo more natural. If you're going for a more formal style, a favourite toy will do the trick. If you abruptly stop your kids from playing or yank a toy away for a "quick" photo, there will be tears and tantrums.
2. Get down to their level
Kneel down or sit on the floor to take their photo. They'll be curious about what you're doing and more receptive to instructions. Plus, the photo itself will look better taken at eye-level than if you're standing up and pointing down.
Image credit: Jess Worrall Photography
3. Get it done quickly
Taking photos can be quite boring for kids — they're much more interested in their surroundings. There's a very small window where kids will follow instructions and give the obligatory smile. Try to get it done quickly, before they get over it and start pulling funny faces.
Finding the perfect camera for Mother's Day
Compacts, mirrorless, DSLR — oh my! There are a lot of cameras out there and nobody has time for hours of reviews and research. So camera newbies, it's time to meet a camera specialist — such as a Ted's Cameras expert.
If you're visiting in-store, bring your Pinterest board to show them the type of photos you want to take, and let them know if you'll be shooting fast-moving subjects (like a rogue toddler). The more info, the better.
If you need to get this done remotely, visit Ted's website and browse handy articles such as The Best Digital Cameras.
Want some advice right now? Mirrorless cameras are the best bet for capturing top-tier imagery without a steep learning curve. The image quality far exceeds what a smartphone can produce, but they're just as user-friendly. If you're giving mum one for Mother's Day, she'll be firing great shots in a matter of moments. Browse our full range of mirrorless cameras to find the perfect match.
Encourage mum to use her camera for success
Now that mum has her new camera, she'll be keen to get those happy snaps. Here are 3 simple steps to help her find her photography A-game.
1. Understand her photography style
You know when mum's scrolling through Instagram and there's a particular photography aesthetic she's drawn to? Tell her to screenshot it — or open up Pinterest and create a board of the photography style she adores. Understanding the style she likes will help her select the right camera gear and research relevant articles.
Wanting shots of the family at sunrise, running in a field of daisies, is a lot different to squishing on the couch and saying "cheeeese". Knowing your style and the moments you'd like to capture will help you take the next steps in your photography journey.
Image credit: Jess Worrall Photography
2. Practice makes perfect
Encourage mum to get out there with her camera and get clicking. If her main objective is to capture family moments, she can start right now. It can be hard to round up the troops, so mum can start snapping the family in their natural habitat — who knows what potential 21st-birthday pictures she might capture at this very moment.
The more mum plays with her camera, the more at ease she'll feel with it. Then next time the family goes on holiday, celebrates a birthday, or just wants to mark the occasion, she'll feel confident to capture the moment.
3. Be confident and share her results
If mum spends more time with her camera and follows these simple tips, she'll build a large collection of great family photos to treasure. Now it's time to show the world what she's made of!
Encourage mum to choose her favourite happy snap, upload it to Instagram or Facebook, and tag @motherhoodmelbourne and @teds_cameras. Use the hashtag #FeatureMeTeds to get her photo re-shared. We're always keen to see how mum and her new camera are tracking.
If this article has inspired you to spruce up your photography skills and buy a new camera, visit your local Ted's Cameras store for expert advice, or browse our full range online.