??Use the portrait setting on the digital camera for individual shots. The portrait setting will set the depth of field to focus on the subject.

??Focus on the subject can also be enhanced by framing them. For instance, a subject may pose in a window, an arbor, a doorway, sitting on a swing, or something similar to focus attention in the image on them.

??Lighting does matter. Although natural light outdoors is generally the best lighting for photographs, direct sunlight must be used carefully as it causes harsh shadows. Using the fill flash on a digital camera can help to reduce such shadows. Otherwise, taking shots in the shade, on an overcast day, or in the morning or evening when the sun is less harsh can help alleviate this problem.

For images that truly capture the personality of people that matter to us, photographs taken by family members can offer a dimension that is very difficult to capture in a studio. A willingness to experiment with more relaxed and natural poses or to avoid posing completely will provide a collection of photographs that reflect and record our lives more accurately.