November's Photo Challenge Theme: A Season for Family

NOVEMBER’S PHOTO CHALLENGE THEME: A SEASON FOR FAMILY

As the days get shorter and colder, we’re coming into that time of year when it’s most important to be with our family and friends. You may be traveling this month to do just that — whether it means getting on a plane or driving the car to the other side of town.

Don’t forget to pack your camera before you head out the door, because family gatherings can be the perfect photo opportunity.

Think outside the box when you get ready to shoot for this theme. We’re not looking for straight up family portraits. We want shots that go beyond simply posing for the camera with the relatives.

Try to catch your family in the middle of the action, doing activities relevant to the fall and winter seasons and holidays. You could sneak a photo of the look on mom’s face when the dog steals a piece of turkey, or your little niece giggling as she tries cranberry sauce for the first time.

Outdoor photos are especially great this time of year, too, as the fall colors change and the sun falls lower in the sky, making for dramatic shadows and lines.

Submissions can include:
** holiday dinners
** family rituals
** indoor or outdoor shots
** new and old members of the family
** a family story
** anything else you can think of having to do with family and the season

Keep in mind the Rule of Thirds when you take pictures of people, and also Advanced Thirds, which we talked about last week (http://tinyurl.com/2me3dr). Remember: Keep the motion moving into the shot.

Submissions for September’s challenge are due by 8:00 a.m. EST on Monday, December 3. You can submit your photos by clicking on the “Enter to Win” tab on our website: http://www.thephotographerslife.com.

[Editor’s Note: Learn more about opportunities to profit from your travels (and even from your own home) in our free online newsletter The Right Way to Travel.]