This may sound silly, but if you’re like me, your phone joins you in the kitchen while you’re baking, it’s in and out of your pocket throughout the day and it gets thrown into your diaper bag when you’re out and about, which often leads to a dirty camera lens. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve whipped out my phone and captured the sweetest moment or expression only to later realize that the photo is blurry because of a dirty camera lens. Ugh!

While I’m sure it’s recommended to use a lint-free microfibre cloth specially intended for cleaning things like glasses and camera lenses, I’ve gotten into the habit of giving my lens a gentle rub with the bottom edge of my t-shirt which does the job and yields crisp, clear photos.

When your little one busts out the sweetest expression or when you peek around the corner to find your kiddos cuddled up and reading a book together, there’s no time to waste! Rather than unlocking your phone and opening your camera app, take advantage of your camera’s swipe up or swipe right function. It will save you a couple of seconds to (hopefully!) allow you to capture the moment.

When it comes to photos of our kids, I think most parents make a point of documenting important milestones and special occasions. That being said, there’s so much beauty in the everyday. The way your little one holds his hands together when he sleeps, how they devour every meal like they have never been fed in their life and how their little fists are constantly filled with cars no matter where you go. Those moments deserve to be documented, too, and just might end up being some of your most treasured memories in years to come.

While shots with both kiddos smiling at the camera are undoubtedly gorgeous, Capture your kids doing what they do best — being kids who love to play, run, jump, explore and experiment. Don’t be afraid to document moments when no one’s actually looking at the camera. I find that most of the time I can get a great shot — one that perfectly depicts true childhood — when they’re engaged in their play and seemingly unaware of the fact that you are even taking their photo.

Some photos look amazing when shot directly from above. Placing your camera on the ground and shooting upwards gives an interesting effect, too. Go in close to highlight a particular detail, or take a photo from far away as possible to capture the entire scene. I don’t think there are any real rules to follow here — just switch things up, experiment and have fun while taking photos of your kids.