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EP2: When They Play, You Play!
"Next time you pick up the camera, don't just focus on the last shot. Document the entire process of your kids playing… Get creative. This is your chance to explore as a photographer."
- Michelle DeMurs (6:15 -6:36) Michelle & Justin DeMersParents Photo Club
It's not about the end result, it's about the fun in the process.
We've all had those rainy days, when the kids are stuck indoors as the puddles under the swingset overtake the backyard. And then in a moment, you have a fantastic idea to save the day. Out come the paintbrushes, the color tray, and the piles of construction paper. There is no better way to spend the day then creating new paintings to don the already covered fridge! As your kids get started on their next masterpiece, it's the perfect opportunity for you to get started on yours. Grab your camera and start capturing the story of your kids as they are immersed in play.
"When we capture photos through an entire process… we end up with a full story that has a beginning, middle, and end... We have the making of an art piece, not just the art piece itself" - Justin DeMers (2:19 - 2:50)
For most children, activities like painting aren't focused so much on the end result. They are looking to be creative and have fun with the process. That's precisely how you should approach capturing the process with your camera. Don't look for the perfect picture or a specific outcome. All those moments from the beginning to the end give you a chance to play with your camera and capture moments you otherwise might have forgotten. Have fun along with your kids as they play, and let the spontaneity of the moment guide you.
Three Lessons to Learn from Spontaneous Photo Sessions
An entire story - Since you're capturing the full process, you'll end up with a fun photo storyline that you can enjoy for years to come. In the painting example, you can take photos of your kids picking up the brush, mixing paints, experimenting with compositions, and more. You can also capture different expressions as they contemplate, get stuck, and have moments of creative breakthroughs. You'll find incredible little moments that tell a much bigger story than just a painting session. Whether your children are playing hide-and-seek, drawing their hundredth dinosaur, or playing tag with a friend, there are beautiful, candid moments to capture of their growing personality. Moments you can piece together to tell the story of these magical, childhood days you will look back with fondness.
Authentic moments - Throughout the entire process, you'll have many opportunities to capture entertaining and naturally authentic moments. As you're just hanging out with a camera while your kids do their thing, they'll soon forget that you're even there. As they get lost in their activity, their performance mode will disappear, and they'll give you plenty of candid moments that can be so much fun. You'll get to capture their emotional ebbs and flows, as they go from frustration to delight in a matter of moments.
When they play, you play! - It's not just your children that get to play and be creative, but you can as well. Follow their lead and be spontaneous with your camera. Step back, get close, capture the small details, and go high or low. As you take tons of photos, you'll be able to pick ones that not only look the best, but also tell the best story. This is a great time to work out any technical kinks in the settings, framing, etc. Have fun! In the end, you'll have the perfect photos for the wall, an album, or the grandparents.
"If you're documenting the entire process, it becomes so much more fun. You get to be more creative and capture interesting images, and your kids get to be themselves." - Justin DeMers (6:51 - 7:01)
The next time you pick up your camera, don't just focus on the last shot, or the final hurrah. Instead, document the entire process - the beginning, the middle, and the end. Try to capture the authentic emotions and the various expressions of your kids as they work through whatever they're doing. Just like painting on a rainy day, taking pictures is about being spontaneous and having fun, and the creativity that you get to explore as a photographer.
How to Get Involved
Listen to the Parents Photo Club podcast! Subscribe. Rate. Review. Help us spread the word to help empower more parents to take photos that are worth keeping forever.
If you want to dig in deeper and get more tips, tricks and strategies on capturing the everyday magic of your family's life, join our thriving community of parents in our Photo for Parents group.
View all episodes
By Michelle & Justin DeMers"Next time you pick up the camera, don't just focus on the last shot. Document the entire process of your kids playing… Get creative. This is your chance to explore as a photographer."
- Michelle DeMurs (6:15 -6:36) Michelle & Justin DeMersParents Photo Club
It's not about the end result, it's about the fun in the process.
We've all had those rainy days, when the kids are stuck indoors as the puddles under the swingset overtake the backyard. And then in a moment, you have a fantastic idea to save the day. Out come the paintbrushes, the color tray, and the piles of construction paper. There is no better way to spend the day then creating new paintings to don the already covered fridge! As your kids get started on their next masterpiece, it's the perfect opportunity for you to get started on yours. Grab your camera and start capturing the story of your kids as they are immersed in play.
"When we capture photos through an entire process… we end up with a full story that has a beginning, middle, and end... We have the making of an art piece, not just the art piece itself" - Justin DeMers (2:19 - 2:50)
For most children, activities like painting aren't focused so much on the end result. They are looking to be creative and have fun with the process. That's precisely how you should approach capturing the process with your camera. Don't look for the perfect picture or a specific outcome. All those moments from the beginning to the end give you a chance to play with your camera and capture moments you otherwise might have forgotten. Have fun along with your kids as they play, and let the spontaneity of the moment guide you.
Three Lessons to Learn from Spontaneous Photo Sessions
An entire story - Since you're capturing the full process, you'll end up with a fun photo storyline that you can enjoy for years to come. In the painting example, you can take photos of your kids picking up the brush, mixing paints, experimenting with compositions, and more. You can also capture different expressions as they contemplate, get stuck, and have moments of creative breakthroughs. You'll find incredible little moments that tell a much bigger story than just a painting session. Whether your children are playing hide-and-seek, drawing their hundredth dinosaur, or playing tag with a friend, there are beautiful, candid moments to capture of their growing personality. Moments you can piece together to tell the story of these magical, childhood days you will look back with fondness.
Authentic moments - Throughout the entire process, you'll have many opportunities to capture entertaining and naturally authentic moments. As you're just hanging out with a camera while your kids do their thing, they'll soon forget that you're even there. As they get lost in their activity, their performance mode will disappear, and they'll give you plenty of candid moments that can be so much fun. You'll get to capture their emotional ebbs and flows, as they go from frustration to delight in a matter of moments.
When they play, you play! - It's not just your children that get to play and be creative, but you can as well. Follow their lead and be spontaneous with your camera. Step back, get close, capture the small details, and go high or low. As you take tons of photos, you'll be able to pick ones that not only look the best, but also tell the best story. This is a great time to work out any technical kinks in the settings, framing, etc. Have fun! In the end, you'll have the perfect photos for the wall, an album, or the grandparents.
"If you're documenting the entire process, it becomes so much more fun. You get to be more creative and capture interesting images, and your kids get to be themselves." - Justin DeMers (6:51 - 7:01)
The next time you pick up your camera, don't just focus on the last shot, or the final hurrah. Instead, document the entire process - the beginning, the middle, and the end. Try to capture the authentic emotions and the various expressions of your kids as they work through whatever they're doing. Just like painting on a rainy day, taking pictures is about being spontaneous and having fun, and the creativity that you get to explore as a photographer.
How to Get Involved
Listen to the Parents Photo Club podcast! Subscribe. Rate. Review. Help us spread the word to help empower more parents to take photos that are worth keeping forever.
If you want to dig in deeper and get more tips, tricks and strategies on capturing the everyday magic of your family's life, join our thriving community of parents in our Photo for Parents group.