Don’t wait for a special occasion to pull out the camera! Some of the best and most memorable photographs are taken in the course of day-to-day life. Children are notoriously difficult to photograph, though, so use these tips to make sure you capture great photos of the child in your life:

Shoot all the time

Candid shots often capture images in a way that no staged shot ever could. One of the best pictures I have of my youngest son is of him asleep in his car seat on Halloween, trick-or-treat bag clutched in his sleeping hand. Shoot pictures often and in everyday situations and marvel at how humdrum experiences can be so profound.

Turn off the flash

People do not like having a blinding flash repeatedly firing at them. Natural lighting can help eliminate unnatural shadows or coloring in the picture. When shooting outside, be aware of the position of the sun. You don’t want to blind your little darling, but you also don’t want the sun directly behind him, casting shadows across his face.

Distract them

Puppets, bubbles, funny hats, peek-a-boo, a silly face, a joke . . . whatever it takes to make your child smile naturally while looking at the camera. Or don’t let your children know they’re being photographed for an even better, candid feel.

Get on their level

Shooting directly above your subject—any subject—won’t result in a flattering picture. Photographers suggest getting down to the eye level of the child. You may have to kneel, you may have to lie down, you may have to climb that tree, but a great picture will be your reward.