July 29, 2010 - Fill flash with bright backgrounds. If your subject is in shadow, and the background is brighter than your subject, it often will just silhouette your portrait. Turn on the flash and fill in the shadow, balancing the foreground and background.

July 28, 2010 - Be creative with your posing. Don't just line everybody up. Use the steps or the arm of a couch to experiment with some people standing and others sitting. Have kids sitting in laps or someone sitting on the floor or kneeling. Mix it up.

July 27, 2010 - Look for moments when family members are interacting. Be stealthy and sit back and watch. If you use a longer lens or zoom, they may not even notice the camera, and you can get genuine smiles and expressions.

July 26, 2010 - Always have your camera with you. Use it everywhere – restaurants, soccer practice, coming home from the doctor, even in your own backyard. Don't limit yourself to monuments, museums and birthday parties. Everyday use can expand your photography.

July 25, 2010 - Shoot a lot of pictures to get good candids. Most people are a little tense and awkward when a camera is pointed at them, but that awkwardness usually begins to go away after the first few shots. Ask them to just relax, and shoot. Shoot a lot.

July 24, 2010 - Get yourself in the picture. Nothing is worse than a vacation with no shots of the family photographer. Get in the picture by using a tripod (or a steady surface such as a wall or a car hood) and the camera’s self-timer to make sure you're included in the family memories.

July 23, 2010 - Don’t let telephone poles or trees sprout out of your subject’s head. Check the background carefully. Look over your subject’s shoulder to see whether any poles, trees or even cars are in the background. Sometimes simply moving a step to the left or right a few feet... Read more

July 22, 2010 - Don’t pose every picture. Candids are the best way to capture real life. Take photos of your subjects playing, relaxing, having fun. They’ll be more comfortable with you, and the photos will look more natural.

July 21, 2010 - Shoot through the dewdrops on a flower from a lower angle. Get down on the ground and look for the biggest drops, then get as close as possible. If you have a close-up lens (or put your compact camera on the close-up setting), you may be able to shoot through the... Read more

July 20, 2010 - Don’t force your subject into a pose they are uncomfortable with. It’s often easier if you demonstrate first. So show your subject how to sit, stand or maybe hold their hands in a simple way.