How to get the best photos of your kids

Mark Steines, TV Host & Journalist, shares advice for parents on tricks for taking the best pictures of your kids
How To Get The Best Photos Of Your Kids
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How to get the best photos of your kids

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My tips for photographing your children in everyday life are: You have to have Handi Wipes, especially if they're boys. You've got to get the face clean. Kids will wear food on their faces and not know it, so you want to have that handy if you can. Find a prop--find something that they're interested in. Don't get complicated--it could be a water balloon fight. Do something that is going to keep them interactive in it. Then, when you're photographing them, we always tell you to stay in the moment with your children. Stay ahead of the moment when you're photographing them, so you know and anticipate what could be coming. If they're walking somewhere, or if they're about to have a water balloon fight, you want to stay ahead of that. If you know they're coming toward you, find the door. Put your back to the door so the action comes toward you. Just some simple tips in shooting your kids in everyday life that I think are so important--that will get you the candid stuff. That's what you want. Another tip--the worst thing you can teach your kid when it comes to photographing them is, "Say cheese!" Everybody says, "Say cheese!" and it's the phoniest, fakest smile that is out there. Find something that triggers them; you hang onto it, and call it up, and recall it when you're in the moment with them. You'll get an organic reaction that will be priceless. You'll love the photos, and they'll love the photos as well.
ALL PARENTS, Family Life, Family Time

Mark Steines, TV Host & Journalist, shares advice for parents on tricks for taking the best pictures of your kids

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Mark Steines

TV Host & Journalist

Emmy award-winning journalist Mark Steines hosts Hallmark Channel’s Emmy-nominated "Home & Family."  After more than 17 years on "Entertainment Tonight," Steines and his co-host Cristina Ferrare entertain and inform their audience daily with an array entertaining and relevant lifestyle topics, do-it-yourself projects, cooking, celebrities and experts.

From small town Iowa to the red carpets of Hollywood, three-time Emmy winner Steines has established himself as one of the most trusted and charismatic figures in entertainment news.  During his tenure at "Entertainment Tonight" he interviewed 100s of A-list actors, producers, musicians and athletes. 

Recently, Steines has received rave reviews as a photographer.  His appreciation for all things beautiful is captured in his portraits and majestic landscapes.  His artwork can be seen on the walls inside many exclusive Hollywood homes and offices.  His photo book "See The Light: A Passage To Sierra Leone," documents the Light House Medical Mission’s trip to raise awareness for fresh water in impoverished countries.

Other hosting credits include the "2008 Miss America Live!;" VH-1’s   "Greatest TV Rock ‘n’ Roll Moments;" VH-1’s "The 25 Sexiest;" the "Golden Karma Awards," recognizing international philanthropic efforts; Mark Burnett’s AOL interactive online game "Gold Rush" and the legendary Hollywood Christmas Parade. He was also a celebrity guest judge on "HGTV Design Star."  

He received an Emmy award for the KCAL-TV special "Beyond Endurance: Madagascar;" an Emmy and Golden Mic award for "Beyond Endurance: Borneo;" an Emmy as host of the 2005 Hollywood Christmas Parade, and a National Iris Award for the special "The Big Business of Sports Endorsements" and national recognition by the Women’s Sports Foundation for his fair and impartial reporting on the Women’s National Football League.

As an actor, Steines has guest starred on television shows including "CSI: NY," "The Practice," "Medium," "Half & Half," "America’s Next Top Model," "Handy Manny" and Sony Pictures' feature film "Nixon."

Steines studied comedy at The Groundlings, the renowned school of improv, and earned a degree from JoAnne Baron/DW Brown Acting Studio’s Meisner Technique training.  His vocal skills training were fine-tuned at the Kalmenson & Kalmenson Voice Over School for Actors.

A born fitness enthusiast, Steines was featured in People Magazine's coveted "Sexiest Man Alive" issue and Men’s Fitness Magazine's "25 Fittest Men in America."  Currently, he is working with fitness expert Tony Horton and Beachbody showing people how to stay in shape with the "10-Minute Trainer" program. 

Born and raised in Dubuque, Iowa, he attended the University of Northern Iowa on a full football scholarship and graduated with a degree in Radio and Television. Steines began his broadcast career as a regional television sports reporter, which later brought him to Los Angeles and national television.  Not one to forget his roots, Steines established a mentorship program with his alma mater, equipping students with the tools necessary to successfully transition from the classroom to a career.

An avid hands-on do-it-yourself guy, Steines enjoys spending his free time fixing, remodeling and restoring all things in disrepair.  He resides in Los Angeles and Ojai, California with his two sons.

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