By Melanie Merkling, mama of 1 and professional photographer

One day you’re sitting in the hospital holding the precious baby you’ve been waiting nine LONG months for. Then in the blink of an eye, you’re watching them head off to school. They hop up on the sidewalk and walk, tall and proud, up to a big school that makes them seem so small all over again.

If only we could freeze time. Since we can’t, the next best thing is to pull out your camera and start clicking, capturing the moment forever. When taking back-to-school pictures of my son, I always try to get pictures that not only show what he looked like that year but also give glimpses of his personality and what he’s interested in at the time. The day school starts is always hectic at our house, so I like to take a few shots the day before and a few the day school begins.

Here are a few shots that make my list:

The day before:

*Hand prints on paper

*Close-up of hand holding pencil, writing name on paper

*Foot next to something to show size, like a pencil, box of crayons, etc.

*Picture next to school sign

The day of:

*Standing next to front door

*Shot of them walking towards the school bus, if they’re a bus-rider (Even if they aren’t, this can make for a cool shot.)

* All the excited facial expressions made in the car on the way to school

*From behind walking hand-in-hand with Dad, Mom, or a sibling up to the school

*From behind down a sidewalk or path toward school or away from home with their backpack on

*Of course, one nice big smiley close-up that shows teeth!

(Example photos shown here courtesy of Gwen Rockwood, website mama and mama to Adam, Jack and Kate.)

Hope you get some great back-to-school shots that you’ll treasure forever.

Melanie Merkling is a mom and a professional photographer. E-mail her a question at mamas@nwaMotherlode.com or visit her website to see examples of her work. Click here to go to MELANIE’S WEBSITE.

By Melanie Merkling, mama of 1 and professional photographer

One of the most important things to think about when shooting a picture is the “composition.” Proper composition will draw your eye directly to the subject of your picture, creating a bigger emotional impact, making the photo more interesting. There are a few basic composition principles that will add the “wow” factor to every photograph you take.

1. Less is more.

Remove as many unnecessary objects from your picture as possible. Lots of things in the background or around the subject will distract the viewer’s attention from the focus of the picture. This holds true with clothing, as well. When photographing children I always recommend avoiding clothing with pictures or wording on it because it detracts from the beauty and simplicity of childhood.

2. Create some contrast.

Most of us do this instinctively when decorating our home or putting together an outfit, but it often gets forgotten when taking a photograph. Creating a contrast between our subject and the background significantly affects how much our subject stands out in the picture. So if the subject of your photograph is light, try to get a darker background, and vice versa. This is a great way to add some personality to your shots. For example, I’m thinking of all those great rain boots in bright colors. If your child has a pair of these or some other brightly colored object that symbolizes this moment in their life, dress them in some white, khaki or similarly light-colored clothing and find a sidewalk, driveway or something else with little color and take some pictures of them in those adorable bright green frog rain boots or with their bright red tricycle. The child will be the star of the photo, and that special childhood memento will “pop,” giving you a fun creative picture.

3. Be off-centered.

One of the most important rules when composing a more interesting shot is called the “Rule of Thirds.” Instead of always placing the subject of your picture right in the center, imagine your photo being divided into a grid with three vertical lines and three horizontal lines. Try to place your subject at one of the four points where the lines cross. (Some cameras even have viewfinders with a grid overlay as an optional feature. See example photo of “rule of thirds” below.) Add this tip to the two previous principles, and you’re well on your way to some awesome photographs!

For more info on Melanie Merkling or to contact her directly, click here to visit her website: MELANIE’S WEBSITE

By Melanie Merkling, mom of 1 and professional photographer

Another school year has ended and summer is here, which means vacation plans are made and bags are packed. Let the memories begin! Whether you’re heading to the beach, the lake, amusement parks or just having some fun in the backyard, the first thing you’ll grab is the camera. We all want great photos that capture our summer moments. There’s a way your “okay” snapshots can be turned into AWESOME memories that stay vivid in your mind. Make sure you have your camera, plenty of batteries, memory cards or film, and take this troubleshooting guide with you. You’ll avoid the common mistakes that lead to disappointing photos later.

Problem #1: Squinting eyes and harsh shadows

The best time of day to take pictures is 30 minutes after sunrise or 1 hour before sunset. These times provide nice even soft lighting. If you’re taking pictures during the middle of the day on a bright sunny day, turn subjects away from the sun and turn on the flash to prevent shadows. (The picture to the right is an example of a “don’t”. Notice the shadows on his face and the forced “say cheese” smile.)

Problem #2: Blurry pictures due to foggy lenses

If you’re traveling to the beach, lake or anywhere else with high humidity, you may notice your lens fogs up, making it impossible to take a clear picture. This happens because of the extreme shift in temperature and humidity when the camera goes from a nice, air-conditioned room or car to the muggy air outside. Avoid this by storing your camera in the trunk of your car, on a balcony, or by heading outside an hour before any important photo opportunities.

Problem #3: Just not interesting

To make sure you get a good selection of photos to enjoy, take lots of pictures. Try shooting from different angles and in different types of lighting. Including people in scenic shots – with the subjects closer to the camera and further away from the landmark, sign or other background – make for more interesting shots. Be invisible. The best pictures are most often captured when people forget you’re taking them. (Notice the example to the right. This kind of shot will remind Mom how much he loved playing in the sand and is a natural action shot.) Looking back on photos that truly reflect the expressions that come naturally will bring back much fonder memories than those with the same old “say cheese” smile that’s already in hundreds of other photos. Have fun and don’t forget to jump in a few shots yourself. Happy clicking!

To contact Melanie Merkling, visit her online by clicking here: MELANIE’S WEBSITE