We the Mamarazzi

Our kids are the little celebrities of our lives. They lead documented days--showing up in pictures, journal entries, scrapbooks and on websites. We record milestones from their first smile to their first day of school and WE WANT PICTURES.

Much like real celebrities attempt to avoid the always-intrusive paparazzi, our kids will often go to great and maddening lengths to foil our photographic attempts. Being famous is hard work, and they often grow tired of the publicity. And they seem to know when we really need that perfect photo for a holiday card. They make valiant and often successful attempts to outrun, outsmart and out-frustrate us: the mamarazzi.

Well guess what? There are ways to conn these small superstars into submission.

I've got my own "professional mamarazzi" (yes, in addition to following all the kids I know and love around with a camera I pimp myself out to catch paying clients' kids on film) suggestions for how to simultaneously prevent tantrums (from paying parents and kids) and engineer joy for frame-worthy photos. And I'll continue to post my favorite photos and photo tips (in addition to rants and raves about other parts of my world).

Getting the right situation and mood going for a photo is My Thang. I like manipulating kids into having fun. This may be a suppressed need I have to control people but it does result in keepsakes. (I'm kidding of course, I actually like playing with kids. Really. Folks who know me will get my back on this). Anyway, what I (and all photographers) constantly need help with are the rough and tumble basics of photo taking.

If you are using a camera set on auto focus you'll simply need to know the bare bones rules (turn off the flash, fill the frame, and eliminate busy backgrounds). If you want to get crafty and good, I recommend Understanding Exposure: How to Shoot Great Photographs with a Film or Digital Camera, by Bryan Peterson.

Now, just for kicks, get out your camera and go take at least 5 photos of your kids doing whatever they are doing NOW. Don't tell them you're there or ask them to smile. Go. You might just capture a kiss in time for Valentine's Day.