15 tips for photographing domestic life

Documenting home life and capturing family moments is what inspired many of us to pick up a camera. But when we picked up a camera, we discovered how challenging it is to capture those moments. Below you'll find some tips that, in the end, are what I've used over the years to capture my images, my moments: they'll help you capture your moments more creatively, overcome lighting challenges, and use more simple camera.

The best part is, these tips work whether you're using a DSLR or just your phone to take pictures.

The moment

It's important to capture a good moment because it overshadows everything else in the photo. Surprisingly, people often overlook bad lighting and sloppy composition in your photo simply because you've captured a powerful moment.

The question is: how well do you capture a moment? Remember that these tips apply to every photo you take, even if you use your phone.

1. Distinguish between two main types of moments

There are two types of moments; poised and candid.

With posed moments, you're in control of the details. You decide exactly what or who is in your photo, how they are positioned and how all elements interact.

When it comes to documenting home life, most of us prefer the candid moments. Candid moments are spontaneous events that happen naturally. By definition, you can't force these moments to happen, you just see a big moment happening spontaneously and you want to capture it. Of course, you can easily ruin natural moments by stepping in and interrupting them.

But heartfelt moments have a special problem, you don't see them coming until it's too late!

2. Learn to see the future

You will be able to capture better moments when you develop the technical ability to see the future. Don't worry, it's not as impossible as you think.

The key to seeing the future is to spot patterns. When you see a pattern repeating itself, you can reliably predict what happens next. Look for patterns as you document home life and you'll be ready to capture the moment before it happens.

3. Grab your camera and go looking for moments

You know that when things go unusually quiet, something interesting happens. So grab your camera and go see what your kids are up to. If you don't carry your camera with you, by the time you find it, the moment will have passed. It will be too late. When the house is quiet, take your camera, then go find.

4. Include action and emotion

A key to capturing the best moments while documenting home life is to make sure they include action or emotion. Again, if all else goes wrong, the action or emotional element will make your photo stronger.

Composition

As you improve your ability to capture moments, you can also start composing better photos.

Start with the corners. They are one of the best compositing tools because they completely change the way your photo looks and feels.

5. View from the ground

This angle is incredibly dramatic. Get very low, look up and see things tower above you. When you take all your photos from the same angle, they are boring to look at. So always remember to take pictures from below.

6. Low angle

Low angles take your photos to a new level by adding drama to your photo. Use it when photographing action-packed moments like the kid jumping onto the beds pictured above.

7. Face to face

This angle puts you in the eye with the subject and makes your photo more eye-catching. This angle works especially well when combined with emotional moments.

8. High angle

High angles are great for capturing the sweetness of young children. Partly because a higher angle can make people look a little smaller. It's a friendly corner.

9. Bird's eye view

Our last angle is the bird's eye view. Go right up there and look straight down. You don't have to be high in the air for this angle, just higher than your subject.

Background

10. Avoid messy backgrounds

A messy background will weaken your photo. There are two ways to deal with a messy background in your photo. The first is to change the angle slightly to avoid distracting elements. The second is to actually clean up your house. Sure, maybe a messy wallpaper is part of documenting home life!

11. Use frames

Look for items that frame your subject in an interesting way. Try shooting through cracks in doors or window frames.

The light

12. Use natural light from the window

Windows are an excellent source of natural light. You can use them for portraits, silhouettes, and just general good lighting. Try capturing moments near a window.

13. Pay attention to the direction of the light

Consider the direction the light is coming from. Front and side light are great for portraits, backlight is great for drama.

Think of all of these items as a stack. A couple of these elements will enhance your photos, but the more elements you stack together, the stronger your photo will become. You don't have to be an expert on light, moment, and composition. You just have to take small steps in each of these elements and the power is when you combine these small steps together.

Camera settings in case of low light

One of the biggest problems encountered indoors is poor lighting. Dim light can make photos appear dark or blurry from motion.

14. Open curtains and blinds

If it's daytime, be sure to open the curtains and blinds.

15. Help your camera see in the dark

• Try raising the ISO to 1600, 3200, or 6400.
• Open your aperture all the way (look for a smaller number like f/1.8) to let in more light.
• Consider purchasing a 35mm or 50mm prime lens with an aperture of f/1.8.
• Zoom lenses usually have smaller apertures and don't let in as much light.

These settings will help your camera let in more light and have a faster shutter speed so your photos are less blurry.

Checklist for documenting home life

Remember, you don't have to become an expert in each of these areas. As you stack these elements together, a slight improvement in each of these areas will give you much better photos. A little emotion, from the right angle, with interesting light, might just produce a work of art.

• Dim light settings
  • ISO1600, 3200, 6400
  • f1.8 aperture
• Moments
  • See moments before they happen by spotting patterns
  • Include the emotion or action
• Composition
  • Corners
  • wallpapers
  • Frames
• Light
  • Use windows
  • Direction of light