Photography is always easier when you start small. I learned about light by opening every window in my house and photographing my children’s belongings in different settings. I’ll save you the countless Barbie modeling shots I took, but there’s no reason you can’t photograph the little toys they love. Those little toys tell part of their story (and looking back someday, you’ll smile thinking about the pain of having stepped on a Lego with bare feet. Maybe).

Learn the quality of light in each room of your house. Open the shades, turn off any lamps or artificial lighting. Notice how the quality of that light changes at different times of the day, and even in different seasons.

I know my north facing living room window rocks. It’s my “go to” window for a quick shot of the kids. But there’s something golden about the side lighting I get in C’s room in the afternoon. And I know shots by the kitchen windows are just not going to happen without a little flash.

I like to call this one, “Camryn’s Bling.”

Looking to see if this works…