Marina Pierre knows how to capture a moment. For more than 15 years, as the owner of Marina's Photography, she's been preserving precious memories for clients across north and central Florida. We asked Marina to share her top tips for taking great photos–whether it’s a spontaneous everyday shot or a festive family gathering–and to reveal the most common photography mistake to avoid, so you can capture picture-perfect moments with the ones you love.
Marina, as a wife, mom of six, and a 'nana' to two, how do you manage to capture those authentic, family moments, especially when young children are involved?
Capturing candid family moments, especially with young children, can result in some of the most genuine and heartwarming photos. These techniques will help you capture the spontaneity and joy that comes with family life, especially with little ones!
Embrace the Chaos
Don’t expect kids to sit still or follow instructions perfectly. Instead, go with the flow and capture their natural movements and reactions. The unexpected moments are often the most precious.
Get Down to Their Level
Shoot from the child’s perspective to make the images more engaging and personal. Kneeling or sitting on the floor can help you connect with their world and create more intimate compositions.
Capture Interactions
Focus on the moments when family members/siblings are interacting, whether they’re laughing, playing, or just being themselves. These genuine connections create more emotional and memorable images.
Catch Transitional Moments
Capture the moments in between poses or planned activities, like when a child is hugging a parent, running, or reacting to something funny. These transitional moments are often where the most genuine expressions happen.
Keep it Short and Sweet
With young children, attention spans are limited. A shorter, fun shoot will keep energy high and avoid burnout, ensuring you get fresh, happy faces.
What advice do you have for families looking to take better group photos, especially during busy moments like family gatherings or outings?
When it comes to capturing those cherished family group photos, I find a little planning goes a long way. I always recommend scouting out a spot with good, natural lighting—shade under trees or a porch is ideal for soft, even lighting on everyone’s faces. And while coordinating outfits can help, I suggest avoiding strict matching. Instead, pick colors that subtly complement each other to create a cohesive and timeless look.
Timing is everything. If you can, shoot during the golden hours—early morning or late afternoon—when the light is soft and warm. But if you’re in the middle of a busy gathering, try to snap photos during those calmer moments, like just after everyone’s eaten or before things get too lively. People, especially kids, are usually in better spirits then, which makes for more natural, happy expressions.
One of my favorite tips is to “engage, don’t pose.” Candid shots—where family members are laughing, talking, and being themselves—tend to look much more natural. I usually start with smaller group shots first; this helps keep the kids and those with less patience engaged, then we gather everyone for a final large group photo. Also, a simple, clean background—like a wall, tree line, or open field—makes a big difference by keeping the focus on the people.
For fast-moving moments, I love using burst mode. This lets me capture multiple frames in seconds, which is perfect for getting that one shot where everyone is smiling, eyes open. And I always suggest going beyond the classic lineup pose; sitting, standing at different heights, or even letting kids run toward the camera can add warmth and make the photo feel more dynamic and fun.
What’s the most common mistake people make when taking photos?
One of the most common mistakes people make when taking non-professional photos is poor composition—especially not paying attention to the background. Often, people are so focused on the subject that they forget to check for distractions behind or around the subject, like clutter, objects "growing" out of heads (tree branches) and uneven horizons.
Most people are taking photos with their phones, with that in mind, do you have any special tips?
Yes! Even with a cell phone, you can capture some amazing photos. Here are a few tips that can elevate your cell phone photography:
Focus on Composition. One of the easiest ways to do this is by turning on your phone’s gridlines and using the rule of thirds. Placing your subject along these gridlines or at their intersections brings a natural balance to the image. You can also use leading lines—such as roads, fences, or pathways—to guide the viewer’s eye directly to your subject. And don’t forget about symmetry and patterns; spotting these in your environment adds a sense of harmony and visual interest to your photos.
Lighting is crucial. Whenever possible, shoot in natural light, and if you can catch the golden hour—just after sunrise or before sunset—you’ll get a soft, warm light that flatters everyone.
A quick tip before shooting: clean your phone’s lens. It may seem minor, but a quick wipe can make a big difference in clarity and sharpness, especially with lenses that easily pick up smudges.
Finally, experiment with angles. Avoid shooting everything from eye level; instead, try crouching down, shooting from above, or tilting your phone to get a more dynamic perspective. Simple adjustments like these can add depth and creativity to even the simplest photos, helping you capture the moment in a fresh, engaging way.
