Lighting in photography serves as the fundamental building block upon which all great photographs are constructed. The work photography actually means "drawing with light" because an image can only be created when light hits the film or sensor.

Lighting also shapes the visual narrative of your images. It wields the power to dictate the mood, whispering subtle emotions or boldly proclaiming them in your photographs. With the deft manipulation of light, you can turn an ordinary scene into a masterpiece, unveiling the hidden details and textures while creating striking contrasts. 

We’ve all done it - come to the end of a vacation and realize the only good photo of the family on the trip has everyone squinting into the sun to look at the camera and lets be honest: It’s not going to make it on your wall.

I like to make a yearly scrapbook of adventures our family has taken, and I am always trying to improve my photos to have a more editorial feel. I want to show the behind the scenes and the real experience of the trip, not just the “smile and say cheese” photos.

So today I want to walk you through how I get great behind the scenes images to bring the memories of vacation alive whether its through a photo book, printed photograph, or just your instagram!

Should you take your own family's photos? As a working photographer I say - go for it!

Pro-photography is not always the right fit for every family at every point. Sometimes you just need to do it yourself to save a few dollars or help get your kids over their fear of the camera. Whether its for the holidays or just because, you really can do it yourself - here are a few tips to help you get a great shot you’ll be proud to share, and maybe even frame! Read on to find out how to set yourself up for success, and see a few of my family’s own DIY photos.