8 People Photography Tips To Capture Life's Beautiful Moments

Moments of joy and connection are happening all around us although you may not realise it. With a camera or mobile phone to hand, you can freeze them in time and relive them over and over again. Here are some top tips to photograph people in the best way.

Our most beautiful moments of happiness often happen in everyday life – be it a spontaneous smile, a loving gesture, or bursts of uncontrollable laughter. These are the moments that remind us of life's simple joys and are worth cherishing forever. These are perfect memories that deserve to be preserved in a CEWE PHOTOBOOK, whether it’s for yourself, your loved ones, or the whole family.

Tip 1: The magic of first encounters

The moments of welcoming a new sibling to the family, the cautious way you get to hold a newborn for the first time, these are moments that cannot be recreated. Take your time to photograph discreetly from different angles and lighting. Focus on people's faces and make sure there is no distracting clutter in the background.

Top tip: If you're photographing on a mobile phone, portrait mode is perfect for gently highlighting the main subject.

Top tip: Slight overexposure can create a flattering glow on the skin.

A little girl admires her newborn sibling. — Very few things are as precious as this moment - perhaps a sibling meeting their little brother or sister. These inital moments are filled with raw, touching emotions that make the most meaningful and wholesome photos.

Tip 2: Capture the peace and quiet of everyday life

There's hidden beauty in the quiet moments of everyday life, and surprisingly, they can make the perfect photo.

Take the time to observe your subject and wait for a naturally calm expression to emerge. Focus on the subtle details, like a gentle smile or the way sunlight softly glows on their skin.

Top tip: Shooting from a distance can add some depth into the photo, and capturing objects in the foreground like a door frame can give the photo a more natural feel.

A woman reads a book in a reclined chair in a peaceful garden. — Peaceful moments, whether it’s reading a book or simply enjoying the surroundings, can evoke a sense of peace and harmony in your photos.

Tip 3: How to show a special bond

Capturing the connection between humans and animals requires a lot of patience, careful consideration, and time. Take the time to observe the interaction and capture a quiet, unspoken moment.

Top tip: If you're able to zoom in on the moment from afar, you'll be able to shoot from a comfortable distance without feeling intrusive.

If you're looking to learn how to take better pictures of your dog, see our blog on Dog Photography Tips for Photos Full of Personality

A young woman leans gently against her horse. — Focus on familiar environments where both the subject and animal feel comfortable. Keep your movements calm to ensure authentic moments unfold naturally.

Tip 4: Finding joy in the little things

Embracing life and capturing the beautiful moments is important no matter how big or small it may be.

For many people, taking care of a garden can act as a calming activity and hobby. To capture this in a unique way, you could try out different angles and perspectives.

Top tip: On a smartphone, tap the phone to focus the subject, such as on the face or hands. The soft, natural sunlight in the early morning or late afternoon (known as 'golden hour') is great for adding warmth and personality into your photos.

A woman watering her plants on a sunny morning. — Gardening is more than just a routine, for some people it’s a moment for mindfulness and growth. Capture these natural moments of joy with thoughtful composition and attention to light.

Tip 5: The beauty of cooking together

The kitchen is a place full of life, conversation and laughter. Capture not only the finished dishes (see our food photography tips), but more so the process and the feelings involved instead.

Top tip: Use a zoom feature to document the scene without interferring with the atmosphere.

A father and his son bake pancakes together. — Cooking with your family or friends can lead to some of the most precious memories. By documenting these moments, you’ll highlight the beauty of the simple tasks in everyday life. People photography thrives in capturing these shared experiences which are full of connection.

Tip 6: Experiment with light and shadow

Light and shadow can transform a scene into something more magical - the shadows themselves tell a story.

Top tip: Use the softer light of early mornings or late afternoons to create warm, enchanting effects.

Top tip: Curtains and windows can act as natural filters, softening and adding texture to the light.

The shadow of a mother holding up her child on a wall. — Light and shadow give your pictures a special depth.

Tip 7: Capture people in action

What’s vital about people photography is the authenticity of the shot. Whilst it can be tempting to ask your subject to pose for a photo, it can often be more natural and authentic to shoot when they're not expecting it.

Don’t be afraid to interact with your subjects and, if necessary, ask them to carry out an action that you can then capture. Be sure to pick out those moments that show genuine emotion!

Man and a woman lifting a child up and smiling together. — Candid photos really capture the genuine emotions and feelings.

Tip 8: Embrace being silly and carefree

Spontaneous, carefree activities often lead to the most dynamic photos. Moments of genuine joy and laugter are integral to creative people photography. Whether it’s a jump into the pool or sudden dance move, these energetic moments can be captured best with a fast shutter speed (e.g., 1/1000s).

Top tip: Use burst mode to ensure you don’t miss the perfect frame, and try shooting from different angles for variety.

Top tip: Switching between being the photographer and the subject can also spark fresh ideas.

A man jumps into the water with a flamingo swimming ring. — Unscripted moments radiate a unique energy that make a great photo. Capture the true joy of living in the moment.

Don't let your beautiful moments stay hidden

Everyday life is where the most genuine and beautiful moments happen. Whether it’s a playful laugh, smile, or a quiet moment of reflection, these are the moments that best capture the essence of life’s beauty. And the good news is, you don’t need much effort or fancy equipment to freeze these moments and treasure them forever. Your camera or smartphone, paired with these people photography tips is more than enough.

Top tip: You can never take too many photos. Use your camera’s burst mode to ensure you capture just the right moment - and don’t be afraid to experiment with angles and light.

Why not take it one step further and turn your photos into beautiful Personalised Wall Art for your home? It’s a wonderful way to display life’s simple joys and preserve your favourite memories.