How many times do you say to yourself, “I wish I brought a camera”? If you’re like me, you say it quite frequently. There were so many special events where a camera could have captured the moment. After the moment is gone, you can never get it back. Sure – it’s in your mind’s eye. But a great photograph could have really memorialized the moment. You can even send your best photo into a service like MyPopArt.com, which translates your work into Pop Art magic.

My first step to taking more photographs was the camera itself. I have a nice SLR camera but frankly, its bulky and big. Its perfect for more formal shoots but once I bought a pocket-sized digital camera, it really freed me up. I could easily put it in my pocketbook or book bag and it was ready to go at a moment’s notice.

The next step is to pull it out. Sounds obvious, right? But sometimes we just feel awkward pulling out a camera. We know it tends to make people feel self-conscious and retract. But the more people become familiar with your amount of photo-taking the less aware they will be. Another hint? Turn the flash off if its not needed. You can grab quick shots without anybody being that aware.

The last part is the most important. Don’t be judgmental of your shots. Feel free to experiments. Its alright to mess up. Just keep taking them. You will see an improvement, I guarantee. Get to know your manual as well. It’s a boring read, I’ll admit, but your camera manual can be your best friend. It will save you from shots that are too dark or blurry or contain the dreaded “red eye.”

Photography is a blast. But more than just a great hobby, it captures fleeting moments. And as the years go, those moments become more precious. So shoot often and shoot well. And shoot today!