Both Tracey Clark and Susannah Conway have talents for capturing the everyday in their photographs and elevating them to the level of art. They have generously shared not only some of their beautiful photographs with us, but also their favorite tips for taking stunning photographs of everyday life.
“Capturing everyday moments through my lens helps to remind me of the magic of my everyday life. I try to seek out the beauty, wonder and even mystery in the seemingly most mundane part of daily life. Photographing my everyday life means first seeing it and then shooting it in a way that makes me feel grateful and grounded.
“There are a few simple techniques I keep in mind as I focus on my everyday moments.”
“The way you take your shot—the angle you choose to shoot it—can make all the difference in improving your photography. Get low and shoot up. Get tall and shoot down. Tilt your camera when you click the shutter. All you need is a little something out of the ordinary to get more extraordinary shots of everyday life.” —Tracey
“Beautiful light can make anything look amazing. Learning how light works to highlight and define your subject matter is probably the most useful thing you can learn in photography.” —Tracey
“When documenting images of everyday life, try shooting something that might normally be overlooked or unseen. Taking a shot that is somewhat unexpected is what elevates a snapshot into something more artful and compelling.” —Tracey
“For me a camera is a meditative tool, an extension of my own eyes that provides a way to observe and record my world and the moments I want to cherish.”
“It’s easy to take photographs when something special is happening, but examine the in-between moments too.” —Susannah
“Search out pattern and color. Pay attention to the light. How does it change in your house throughout the day?” —Susannah
“That wall you walk past every day to work? The old tree you’ve seen hundreds of times but never touched? What magic can you find there when you look through the lens?” —Susannah
“Photographing my meals with my iPhone is a standard part of my day — breakfast lends itself particularly well to this practice! It’s such a great way to hone your still-life skills.” —Susannah Conway
“Rarely do I get the opportunity to shoot photos of my own children at formal events. My youngest daughter was in a family wedding that I wasn’t shooting, so I got to pull her away from the festivities for a while and play with her (and my camera). It was such a treat!” —Tracey Clark
“London is full of colour and dirt and this shot sums that up for me. I’m always looking for the quirky parts of my environment that often get overlooked.” —Susannah Conway
“This vibrant wall was the perfect backdrop for a quick snap of my friend. The fact that her outfit’s so neutral makes the image even more interesting to me.” —Susannah Conway