Pictures are treasures. Whether physical or digital, photos have a way of commencing scrolls down memory lane. They ignite fun conversations as you show embarrassing ones to the new fiance. They kindle a longing from the past as you scroll through pictures of your kids when they were young. Laughter can erupt from silly pictures your kids took that you didn’t even know were on your phone. Photos are invaluable. Even if we have ten thousand pictures of our babies, we can’t bring ourselves to delete just one. Snapping a quick shot secures a memory to relive later. 

The winter season presents many opportunities for pictures, but it can be hard to get a good one between the snow, lights, and the bustle of people. In a panic, you rush to take a picture, only to discover that half of the kids have their eyes closed. We’ve all had this happen to us, but don’t miss out on a single memory this season due to a bad picture! From holiday dinners to GameTruck birthday parties, here are seven winter photography tips to help you capture the moment and treasure it for a lifetime. 

Shift your perspective

This powerful winter photography tip can upgrade your pictures to the next level. When we take a picture, our automatic pose is to hold the camera directly in front of us. Consider trying a new perspective. New angles can change the feel of a photo and capture elements that otherwise would not be in the shot. For example, lower angles are great at capturing the landscape in the foreground. 

Take a Bunch!

Why take one picture when you can have ten? If you’ve got a fast-moving subject like a little league game or cute pets, try Burst mode. It’ll take ten pictures per second. Afterward, go through and find the best one.

Bring it in!

Get up close! If you’re trying to capture a smile from opening a present, consider moving closer to the subject, focusing on their face. Bringing your shot in will help you capture emotion and facial features, making this an excellent option for portrait photography. 

Keep it simple

Try this winter photography tip! Simple is truly more. Empty space is our friend, as it can help your subject easily stand out. Too many elements within a picture can overwhelm the eyes and ruin a beautiful shot. 

Use the Volume Button

Blurry photos are a dreaded enemy of moms everywhere. If you have an iPhone, use the Volume Up button to capture a picture. This will help you reduce that blurriness.

Try Portrait Mode

On your phone, select Portrait mode. This creates depth by having an up-close subject against a blurry background.

Pause & Preview

Finally, look at the shot before capturing it if time permits. Remove distracting elements, see what a shifting perspective might do, and try moving closer to the subject. Staging a shot before you take it can drastically increase the quality of your photos. 

Employ these winter photography tips to upgrade your photography for free! Despite the colder weather, winter is a memorable season. It’s a time to celebrate this year’s victories, connect with those in your life, and look forward to the new year. Taking good pictures will help you remember this year, bringing a smile to your face as your scroll through the images on your phone, so don’t let the snow or lights hold you back from capturing the perfect moment! Try one or all of these tips to take your photography skills to the next level!

Looking for a fun and exciting way to spend a Sunday in Portland, Oregon? Attend Kyron’s Car show! Whether you want to show off your car or spectate with your kids, this event is awesome! Inspired by a family trip to a car show with Kyron, every year The Kyron Horman Foundation hosts this show in honor of Kyron Horman, a little boy who went missing in 2010 from school. You can read more about his story here.

The Mission of The Kyron Horman Foundation: Helping Families of Missing Children

Founded by his dad, Kaine, the foundation strives to help families of missing children. Their mission is to help bring missing children home to their families. From helping families partner with law enforcement to creating public awareness campaigns to providing counsel, The Kyron Horman Foundation comes alongside families in their darkest hours as they live through a parent’s worst nightmare. The foundation is a volunteer nonprofit where all donations go directly to helping bring kids home to their families. 

GameTruck’s Support: Proudly Sponsoring Kyron’s Car Show

This is why GameTruck is a proud supporter of the Kyron Car Show and has been since 2015. 

1. Free, free, free!
   • This awesome event is free for all spectators, and this includes parking! The event will feature live music, raffles, food, and fun for the whole family!
   • If you’re looking to register your car, it’s very affordable at only $20 with all money going to support The Kyron Horman Foundation in their mission of coming alongside families of missing children. 
2. You can be a winner with 90+ available awards!
   • With so many fun categories, you can vote for your favorite! Some categories include decades, classics, under construction, student, and so many others! Did you know that there is also a GameTruck Choice Award? There is! Will you be the one to win it? Pre-register your car now and check out the list of available award categories! 
3. It’s about hope.
   • Even though it’s been 12 years, no one has given up hope. Join the owners of over 300 vehicles and bikes to support families like Kyron’s. 

Looking for more ways to support the Kyron Horman Foundation? Head over to their website to learn more about how you can help. One easy way you can make a difference is by attending the Kyron Car Show. Have a fun Sunday morning with your family while supporting a worthy cause. Be sure to share on social media so others can get involved too!

Be sure to checkout more blog like Spend Some Quality Time with Your Kids. Watch The Cuphead Show!

I’m so glad that I live in the digital age. It might sound odd, but with my mom brain, I struggle to remember all of the small details. I don’t want to forget the memories I made with my family. I want to cherish them forever. From family vacations to GameTruck birthday parties, I don’t want to lose a single memory. This is one of the biggest reasons why I’m so thankful for my phone. 

Pictures help us relive memories and reignite our emotions. (This is why I can’t bring myself to delete a single picture of my kids 🙂 While photography seems to come naturally for some people, it doesn’t for me. It’s been a creative journey for me, but here are four tips that made the difference for me that you can try to take your photography to the next level!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

• Rule of Thirds
  • In this photography rule, an image is broken up into nine squares. This can also be called “framing”. In this approach, try to get the best parts of your image where these lines intersect. This will give your photo a natural feel and gently guide the eyes to where you want them to go. Try lining your subject up on these lines to achieve this effect. 
  • To set this up on your iPhone, go to your settings, select apps – choose camera, and then select “grid lines”. This will allow you to use the Rule of Thirds with every picture you take to help you get awesome photos! 
    
    
    
• Natural Light
  • Lighting can make all the difference in a picture, and Natural is best. A flash rarely looks good on anyone. Natural lighting compliments most people and subjects. It is also the best option if you’d like to edit the photo later. 
  • Being mindful of the lighting also allows you to be creative. It can help convey the mood and the overall tone of the picture. You can try different angles in natural light, candles, sunsets, and so much more! 
    
    
    
• Avoid Digital Zoom
  • Avoided at all costs on a smartphone! By using digital zoom, you’ll get a grainy, poor resolution image. Digital zoom also magnifies any shaking or movement in the hands. 
  • If you need to zoom, move closer to get that awesome picture of your kid in their little league uniform or blasting away opponents at a GameTruck laser tag party!
    
    
    
• Use HDR
  • Many smartphones are now equipped with High Dynamic Range or HDR. It adds detail from both dark and light areas of the picture for a balanced exposure. This is a great option to use if your picture has a dark ground and a bright sky. Turning this feature on in your settings will help balance your pictures out. 

Summer, to me, has always been a season of new adventures and journeys. Taking nice pictures and videos will help you and your family always remember the memories you’ve made over the years together.

So, at your next GameTruck event, try one or all of these tips to take your photography skills to the next level!

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