? for photog mommas

amh_navyblue

We had DD#2's bday party today and I had the same struggle I always do at these kind of events...I want to get good pics and make use of the fantastic SLR we have, but I almost always fail because I am focused on hosting and being part of the action so to speak.  How do you balance the desire to enjoy the moments with your kids, especially at milestone moments and capture them well on "film"?  

Sofka

can you give the camera to someone else, one of the guests?

I don't really have a problem, both DH & I have our DSLRs out, as well as my sister who has a photog business.  FIL usually takes a lot of photos as well but we don't see them (I am sure I could ask for them and he'd burn me a CD but we have enough from the 3 of us - I/DH/sister).

Taking photos is a priority for me.

 

MrsPhilDunphy

It's tough, especially because at this point it's not exactly easy to hand my camera off to someone else. And indoors I use my speedlight and that takes a little extra work by itself to bounce, etc. Honestly, sometimes I feel like the more I know and the better equipment I acquire, the more work it is and the less likely I am to whip out the camera or to hand it to someone else. First world problem, for sure.

For C's birthday, I made sure I had my camera ready for certain things that I personally wanted to shoot - like playing with his cousins and blowing out his candles. For the rest, I chose settings that I knew would work okay for most areas of the house and passed the camera off to DH when I could. He's gotten a lot more comfortable with the camera recently. But I'm also in the quality over quantity camp and would rather have a handful of great shots to remember the day.

ETA: Whoops! I just realized that you may have been looking for responses from the pro photog mommas we have here, which I surely am not!

MrsPhilDunphy

Also, (this is right on my mind because my cousin and I were having a similar conversation two weeks ago) don't be afraid to lower your standards if it means getting some photos vs. getting no photos. For instance, one decent photo taken in auto mode with the pop up flash by your MIL of your kid smiling is 10000% better than no photos taken in whatever way you would shoot them ideally.  I have to remind myself of that.

Mama Angelina

I just spend a couple minutes before guests arrive to capture details such as cake, decorations, the food spread, and favors.  I try to get a couple candid shots of family members beforehand too but definitely the person being honored as they are *usually* still clean and excited for the festivities (during the party kids often get overwhelmed so it's good to get some 'fresh' shots of them beforehand). 

Then I pick up the camera again when it's time to capture the candle blowing and while I'm at it I snap a few of the surrounding guests.  I have a close friend/family member light candles and have DH be close to LO to really be 'in the moment' with LO since I am manning the camera.  He is used to this, lol   

Finally, when the guests have gone I look around and try to get a genuine afterparty shot...wrapping paper everywhere...birthday boy passed out on the couch clutching beloved party remnant...cat sitting in gift box with bow stuck to fur.  Stuff like that.  HTH

Mama Angelina

MrsPhilDunphy:

Also, (this is right on my mind because my cousin and I were having a similar conversation two weeks ago) don't be afraid to lower your standards if it means getting some photos vs. getting no photos. For instance, one decent photo taken in auto mode with the pop up flash by your MIL of your kid smiling is 10000% better than no photos taken in whatever way you would shoot them ideally.  I have to remind myself of that.

I totally agree!  Sometimes I also hand a point and shoot to a friend or family member and ask them to be a second shooter.     

amh_navyblue

Mama Angelina:

MrsPhilDunphy:

Also, (this is right on my mind because my cousin and I were having a similar conversation two weeks ago) don't be afraid to lower your standards if it means getting some photos vs. getting no photos. For instance, one decent photo taken in auto mode with the pop up flash by your MIL of your kid smiling is 10000% better than no photos taken in whatever way you would shoot them ideally.  I have to remind myself of that.

I totally agree!  Sometimes I also hand a point and shoot to a friend or family member and ask them to be a second shooter.     

 

Thanks, ladies for all the advice!!  I try to remember this...I think I depend on this too much and I wish I didn't always do that....I feel like I am wasting the camera and only using like 5% of its capability.  I like the suggestions to plan out a few key shots I want to get and remember to learn more about the camera in non-critical times so that it's easier to capture these moments when they come up and let the rest take care of itself.