Photographing the Everyday: A Series on Preserving the Precious

photographing the everyday allison corrinAlthough sometimes the days seem tedious, lined only with lunch messes and laundry, detailed only with diapers and disasters, we as mothers know just how quickly they are passing – and although there is definitely a time and a place for hiding the distractions and living fully in the present moment, as a photographer, but more importantly as a mother, I believe photos can immortalize moments and encourage thankfulness that might otherwise slip away and be forgotten. Thus the idea was birthed for a series to help you take more thoughtful photos of your everyday.

Throughout this series, I will be featuring examples using both my iPhone and a digital single-lens reflex camera (or DSLR). Both have phenomenal possibilities and both are valuable in various ways. This first installment will hopefully encourage you to look for the possibilities already in place and capture them in the most beautiful way.

I recently read a quote that says

“Being a mom, you need to learn to: pick your battles, embrace the mess, love your children unconditionally and enjoy each day.” – Anonymous

I believe taking a minute or two every now and again to capture an image is the epitome of these choices. Allow yourself to see the beautiful in your life and you will indeed preserve the precious.

1. Determine if clutter or subject is your focus. Telling a story sometimes includes the mess that is our everyday life; other times, it’s the simple that draws us in.

 

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In the photo above, not only was it convenient to leave the clutter of the present activity, but it reminds me that the connection being built between my oldest and youngest is most beautiful in the chaos, and sometimes is built because of this very mess. I left everything as-is and simply snapped a shot of the way they look at each other. I never want to forget it.

 

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I wanted the hallway to lead to the sweet play of my two children. I quickly swept everything behind the camera to make sure nothing distracted from the interaction I wanted to highlight. That being said, I didn’t want to miss the sincerity of the moment so after the ten seconds it took to sweep the ground of the toys, sippy cups and shoes that normally decorate my hallway, I didn’t worry about the towel in the background in case (as all mothers know) the play were to … go south … 🙂

2. Take on a fresh perspective. Explore the options of perspective when taking a shot.

 

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Taking a shot from above can not only make for a more interesting visual, but also highlight the tone of a memory. I never want to forget just how closely these two sit together when reading.

Conversely, taking a shot from ground level

 

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creates a totally different image that might better tell the story of your child’s everyday.

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This picture highlights the imagination and ambition my daughter expresses when she reaches as high as she can into the sky. Taken from the ground level, the viewer feels like they are flying with her.

3. Look for the light. This is truly the number one secret behind beautiful photos. As you go about your day, look for pockets of light in your home. Tune into rooms that don’t necessarily need the lights turned on and notice how nicely these areas tend to photograph. When you can, turn off light bulbs (which create the dark, yellow cast on skin). Look for beautiful window light and explore the possibilities of how it highlights soft, supple skin. It can also create gorgeous “catch lights” (the sparkle) in the eye.

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When taking a picture, if you can, position yourself so that you aren’t blocking the light that falls on their face and see if they can stand in a way so that light falls across their face. This illuminates their eyes and facial features rather than having shadows hide it.

Watching how the shadows fall can create a dramatic effect emphasizing a particular feature, emotion or interaction.

4. Consider the close-up or the scenery. Filling the frame with your subject automatically fills the frame with emotion which is what photography and capturing your everyday is really all about.

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Maybe sneak in and grab some details. The little things that make your child you, the pudgy fingers, their dirty toes, the tummy you kiss every day.

On the other hand, sometimes backing up to capture the entire scene is what tells the story of the experience.

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As a mother myself, I realize we don’t always have the option of exploring the perspective we want to take the photo from before we are wrangling little ones back from the pinnacle of danger or grumpiness; however, the more you diversify the angle you snap the image from, the more accustomed you will grow with the variety and it will come much more naturally to you.

5. Don’t make them say “cheese.” As a photographer and amongst my mommy friends, the biggest complaint I hear is that moms can’t photograph their children because they don’t sit still. What they don’t realize is, that’s the beauty of childhood! There will be plenty of years of forced smiles and awkward poses. For now, embrace where your children are at. When you’re getting ready to take their picture, don’t ask them to smile, make them laugh instead! Ask them if a lion says “woof.” Tell a silly joke. Ask them if you have boogers in your nose. Engage them in doing something ridiculous and not only will you relieve any pressure that might have been in place otherwise, but you’ll get the greatest, sincerest of expressions!

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Capturing them in their silly, their wild, their crazy, their everyday is what will melt your heart in the years to come.

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And that is what is precious.

Allison French
Allison French is the mother of Ellie, Tristan, Judah and Lucy, living in south Kansas City with her hubby of eight years, Chris. After teaching elementary school in Blue Valley for six years, she established her photography business, Allison Corrin Photography and specializes in newborn and lifestyle photography. Passionate about soaking up the sweetness in the simple, she muses over the dirty diapers, noisy time-outs, piled-up dishes, read alouds, never-ending pile of laundry, and other everyday lessons of motherhood in her personal blog here. A good day for Allison would include getting up while it’s still dark (and quiet), a good cup (or two…or three…) of creamed-up coffee, reading one of the (at least three) books she’s always in the middle of, a little blogging, followed by a long run or dancing at her Jazzercise class and concluded with baking something sweet with her own sweetums … and then promptly chowing down.

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