Scrolling through Netflix, I landed on a wildlife documentary. A photographer lay on her belly, a huge telephoto lens at her face. In the distance, a female lion licked her paw, oblivious. At the same time, my son sat a few feet away, petting our dog. “How cute,” I thought. Carefully, I slid my phone out of my pocket and took a stealth photo. Taking pictures of kids can be artistic or spontaneous, and it turns out the latter ones make me smile more.
It’s the everyday photos that really capture who our kids are. Taking pictures of kids is fun, but this summer, let’s try to remember the little moments with these 15 photo prompts. Treat your child like wildlife and take that stealth photo. Go on. You’ll be glad you did.
1. Making Memories With Friends
Maybe they’re playing with toys or caught up in the world of make believe. Maybe they’re giggling about something, holding hands, or riding bikes. Capture these memories by taking pictures of your kids when they’re just plain happy to be with their friends.
2. Hanging Out at Home
We don’t always think to pull out our phones and capture what’s ordinary in pictures. But it’s these little moments—playing with a sibling, snuggling his lovey, being bored—that happen between the big moments that we should remember.
3. At the Store
I have a multi-frame picture collage hanging in my hall, and one of my favorite photos is of my kids, walking hand-in-hand through Target. I followed behind and took the picture as they were enjoying a quiet moment together.
4. Learning a New Skill
There’s this picture of me leaning against a tree at age 4, arms crossed. My parents had been trying to teach me to ride a bike. Guess who wasn’t cooperating? I like that photo because it captures my frustration, but also, I imagine my parents’ too. Now, I try to remember to do the same with my kids. The lesson is not everything is easy—for kids or parents.
5. Playing Outside in Water
Sprinkler? Pool? Lake or ocean? Water tends to elicit some special smiles with kids. Snap pics of your kids enjoying themselves in their bathing suits or splashing through puddles.
6. Bonding With Teammates
Cheering on the bench. In a huddle during a time out. Giving high-fives at the end of the game. Taking pictures of kids when they’re doing their sport often shows their personality more than a posed picture afterwards—but do that too!
7. Being Sleepy
I love the glazed eye look. Usually, it happens when my kid is on the couch, cuddling a stuffed animal. But I also like taking a picture of him in the morning, seconds before he wakes up.
8. In Different Lighting
Snap pictures of your kids in the early morning when the sun is just rising and in the evening if you’re out playing in the yard or taking a walk. The different lighting can capture that golden glow of childhood. It might be the one you cherish the most.
9. As a Close-up
Focus your lens on the bottoms of her feet. Or the tops of her hands. The back of his neck or the curve of his cheek. Your child is unique in every little way.
10. In Profile, Unexpected
This is one to frame, especially if you’ve caught a particular emotion: awe, surprise, contentment, joy.
11. Laughing
You have to be quick to catch him mid-laugh with baby teeth—or gaps—on full display.
12. In a Group Selfie
Don’t let the summer pass you by without taking pictures of yourself with the kids. You won’t always have someone nearby to do a formal shot, and that’s fine. Actually, those tend to look a little stiff anyway. Just stick your phone out and let your kids drape themselves over you. Get a pic at the park, the beach, and everywhere in between.
13. Getting Ready
Kids pulling on socks or buttoning a jacket soundd ordinary, but when you capture their focus and excitement before they get somewhere, you realize these are special moments too.
14. Lost in Her Own World
What your child enjoys at age 4 will be different at age 7 or 10. Whatever it is (Finger-painting? Stacking blocks? Coloring?), even if it’s only for a few minutes before dinner, snap a photo to remember another sliver of her life.
15. Savoring the Moment
Sometimes, you just have to put your phone down and take it all in. Soak in the details of the time and place and enjoy being present with your child!
Tip: When you’re done taking pictures of your kids this summer, turn your favorites into a photo book to remember all the small moments that brought you joy.
What are some of your favorite pictures you’ve taken of your kids?
