Here's proof you don't need a perfect pretty dress, a flawless background and a beautiful day for gorgeous photos of your kids.  I left Lucy alone for 5 minutes today and this is what I came back to. Sitting on the rocking chair with 2 books about Easter and a few stuffed friends. She even dressed herself! (obviously she's a minimalist). All I did was stop what I was doing, grabbed my camera and spun the chair around to get some light on her.

I often get questions from moms with fancy cameras who want to take awesome photos of their kids. My first piece of advice is to practice... a lot. Easier said than done since most kids are rarely sitting still, and would rather eat peas than pose for a picture. When you're taking pictures of kids, you get the best results when you let them be the boss for a change. Follow their lead. And sometimes that means they will start "posing" when you least expect it. Keep your camera close, the battery charged, and your eyes always open. Eventually at some point you will find them sitting (somewhat) still... pick up your camera and start shooting!

Taken on February 6, 2014

Lucy's Room, North Potomac, MD.