Your Life in Pictures

You know how people always groan when you bring out the camera and ask them to smile?

Well, ignore them and take the photo anyway. (The truth is, most people really don’t mind and will probably ask you for a copy of the photo for themselves).

Photographs chronicle our lives. Looking back over photos of a happy occasion or of your children’s milestones is the best way to remember and relive the feelings that you captured at the time. We can’t always rely on our brains to remember for us. Time tends to blur the details no matter how sharp we think we are, and sadly diseases like Alzheimer’s are becoming more common.

A photograph can trigger feelings of happiness that can release endorphins (known as happy hormones) in your brain. This is a great way to alleviate depression and anxiety. Photos are also great conversation starters and can help people connect through reminiscing.

You don’t have to be a particularly good photographer, (and today’s digital cameras make us all look more clever than we really are) but a slightly off-kilter photo is better than not taking one at all. I know my mother took some dreadful shots and could have benefited from a digital camera, but we still look back and have a good giggle over them.

Here are a couple of good tips that I've learned the hard way:

Try not to stand too far away from your subject.

Try to have a complimentary coloured backdrop that doesn't detract from your main focus. Take notice of what's behind your subjects.



If you’re using a regular digital camera, make sure it’s on the appropriate setting (can’t stress this enough.)

Don’t make all of your shots too ‘posed’. Some of the best ones are the spontaneous fun shots that were not expected.

Don’t be shy about bringing the camera out. In a year’s time you’ll regret that you didn't.

Take a picture of each of your children every year on their birthday.

Save your photos in folders on the computer and name and date each folder.

If you print photos off, write the names and dates on the back.

Only save the best shots, and make the decision quickly. The longer you keep them the harder it is to get rid of the bad ones.

Don't over-photoshop your subjects. There is more fun in the reality of the shot - freckles and all. Do a little but don't erase the character.

Always have a spare memory card in the camera case

Always have a spare set of batteries in the camera case.



When taking holiday shots of scenery or buildings try to have someone or something in the foreground – unless they are just for your own interest, otherwise your photos can end up looking like postcards.

When taking lots of shots (especially on holiday) use the memo function on your phone or keep a pen & paper handy and write down details you will want to remember about each photo, like where and when they were taken, or what the activity was called – You’d be surprised how easy it is to forget or to mix up details later on.


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