How to get the best pictures on special occasions

Mark Steines, TV Host & Journalist, shares advice for parents on tricks for taking the best pictures of your family on special occasions
How To Get The Best Pictures On Special Occasions
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How to get the best pictures on special occasions

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When you're photographing something for a special occasion--it could be a Christmas card, it could be a graduation ceremony that they're in--they're two very different things--but one, you always want to be aware of your light source. Try to find something soft and pretty. Get them out of direct sunlight--not very complimentary. If you're dressing for the holidays, and you want to do a great card, dress everybody the same. Find something simple in pastels. Don't put plaid on everybody because it will look horrendous. When you're doing an event--if you're covering something--like my son graduated from fifth grade, there's a lot of stuff happening, so I got there a little bit early. I wanted to know the events that were taking place, in which order they would be, and how the students would be moving, so I could place myself as the action would come toward us. Put a little bit of work into it, and the pictures will pay off--you won't get the backs of their heads, you won't get them from the side. You'll find a really good spot. If you get there early, you'll beat all of the other parents who are trying to do the same thing you're doing, but you just got there first.
ALL PARENTS, Family Life, Family Time

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

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Expert Bio

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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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