Some of my favorite pages in my family cookbook are the ones showing family members either cooking together or just having fun together. These photos capture happy family memories that can stick with you for a lifetime. Hopefully your family cookbook will help other family members enjoy their heritage, too.

Whenever I grab the camera to take family cookbook photos, I try to remember some of the following ideas to help me shoot better pictures:

Look before you snap.
Check the background to make sure telephone poles or other large objects aren’t sticking out of Uncle Henry’s head. Also, check for messy shelves or other distracting patterns. A minimized background greatly improves family cookbook photos.

Be spontaneous.
To create more natural-looking photos for the family cookbook, seek ordinary circumstances where family members are most relaxed. Sometimes people are at their best when absorbed in a favorite activity. Move in or move away from your subject. Experiment with turning the camera slightly sideways, too.

Release their personality.
Use key words to get your subjects to respond in a happy face way.  We all know the word “cheese” helps get a grin. Next time, try the word “family” as it most always gets a smile that’s perfect for family cookbook photos.

Focus on details.
If your camera has focusing capabilities, try to zoom in or get closer to your subject to add some variety.  (When using digital media, you can crop close with editing tools even if you can’t get close with your camera). Such details as the pattern of a favorite plate, for example, can add a homey touch to your family cookbook photos. 

Seek a different viewpoint.
Go high or go low to get a different angle and perspective on your subject. Shoot from kid level, adult level, even dog level. Sometimes having a different eye level can provide a nice change of pace for family cookbook photos.

Some memorable photo opportunities for the family cookbook may include capturing family members doing the following activities:

- Working with flour and a rolling pin.
- Washing dishes.
- Frosting cookies or a cake.
- Barbecuing.
- Reading the family cookbook.
- Stirring a big pot of something.
- Flipping pancakes.
- Tossing pizza crust.
- Licking a beater or spoon.
- Making a family cookbook (my personal favorite).

Making a recipe book? Check out all the recipe software and cookbook binding supplies we have at CookbookPeople.com.

If you enjoyed this article, you might check out:
• 8 Tips for Taking Better Food Photos for Your Family Cookbook
• Family Photo Tips: How to Capture Hard-to-Photograph Family Members
• Capture Missing Family Photos at Thanksgiving for Your Family Cookbook

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