I was happy to be outside most of this past weekend reveling in our gorgeous, cloud-free, 75 degree weather (reading photography books of course). Being a DC resident on these days is particularly sublime, because the collective mood is jovial and content. It seemed as though everyone came out to play, including parents, pets and the wee ones. So much so that at one point I felt out of place sans a stroller or furry friend. Not surprisingly though, the most common accessory I noticed parents carrying, other than a diaper bag or Frisbee was a digital camera. Time to whip out that awesome albeit dust-collecting Christmas present!

I’m an absolute advocate for hobby photographers (how else would would I have found my calling?) and have some basic tips for those who would like to take better than average snapshots of the family on a gorgeous weekend:

• Avoid bright, direct sunlight. Nothing is more unflattering than a harsh, dark shadow on your subject’s face. Look for a shaded area, wait for cloud-cover, or take your photos closer to when the sun starts to set.
• Observe your background. If there is an object like a tree directly behind the subject, be sure to position it correctly to that it doesn’t interfere with the photo’s composition. I’ve seen far too many trees growing out of people’s heads!
• Consider your point of view. If you’re looking up at your subject, take special note of what you see. Don’t let unruly nose-hairs or double chins tarnish a potentially priceless picture!