How to Preserve Your Party Memories

I don’t have a single photo of any of the parties of my childhood and consequently I can’t remember anything specific about them other than that I had parties. I remember a few of the standard games we played at most every party and that we went ice skating once but other than that, it is all gone. Sure we didn’t do themes, there were no elaborate decorations or cakes and even if we had taken photos they certainly wouldn’t have been Pinterest worthy events, yet I wish I had just one photo from each one to help me remember. When I started having parties for my own children I vowed that I would make it a point to preserve the memories as best I could. I am a journal writer and if nothing else, I have recorded a few details of each party in writing. The photos I took over the years, however, are less impressive. Often I got so caught up in the details of the parties that I missed out on wonderful Kodak moments that I will never happen again. But, the point is, I did take photos. Remember, the photos don’t have to be perfect, even a quick snapshot taken with your phone, is better than nothing. Here are some suggestions to make capturing the memories easier and better:

•Consider getting an adult friend, a sitter, or spouse to take the pictures or videos so you can devote yourself to the children. Yes, you can do it yourself, but you’ll be spreading yourself pretty thin.

•Prepare the area you will be taking pictures by opening all the shades or curtains and turning on as many lights as possible. The more light you have the better quality of your images (this applies to both video and still photography).

•To take a group photo, tell the children you’re going to count to 3 and take one “serious” pose. Next tell them they can be as “goofy” as they want to be while you count again; you’ll probably get two photos worth saving! You can also try to
photograph the children while they’re playing an active game or while they’re dancing or singing.

• Use a zoom lens to get close-in on children’s expressions.

•Try for variety in your photos: if you’re indoors, stand on a chair, stool or step and shoot downward.  Outdoors, a picnic table will do. For an unusual picture, lie on the floor and have the children stand around you in a circle, looking down at you (don’t forget to use your flash!) Spend time on your knees at the children’s level for really good photos.

• Remember to take pictures of the birthday decorations, the cake, and the party table before the party begins, while they’re all still in one piece!

• Take a snapshot of your child with each guest and use them later as thank you notes.

•Check for batteries and space on the SD card or hard drive of the camera BEFORE the party.

•Take more photos than you really think you need. The beautiful thing about technology today is that you can always delete any bad photos but you can never go back and capture a moment that you missed.

•Never discourage kids from wearing fancy party clothes. Children love to be photographed all dressed up and fancy clothes often help to quell wild antics.

• If you have hired an entertainer, be sure to record the children’s reactions as well as the performance. Ditto for gift opening. Secretly ask kids which present they brought (before gifts are opened) so you can quickly pan to the child who gave the gift.

•When video recording the opening of gifts, start with a close-up of the wrapped present. Zoom out as unwrapping begins. Focus on the child’s reaction before going to the gift itself.

•Don’t put the camera away when the party is officially over. Get some shots of the birthday child saying goodbye to guests, enjoying a gift in private or sharing a moment with a parent.

They say that a photo is worth a thousand words and I know that even a plain, unprofessional shot of the birthday girl or boy helps preserve the memory of the event for years to come. I’d love to see any of your favorite party pictures!