When people ask how we get such great photos of our kids, the answer is simple: we bring our camera with us almost everywhere and we capture everyday moments. Today, I've partnered with Artifact Uprising to share some of my favorite, everyday moments and how you can capture them, too.

You might be saying, "Well, Joy, you're a blogger, so that's easy for you to take pictures all the time!" Sure, my mindset is a bit different because I am so used to documenting life. But it wasn't originally easy for me to do. Lugging around a camera can be a pain in the butt and sometimes you just don't want your picture taken. But I realized that when we get over those hurdles and just make it fun to capture the everyday, you will never regret it. It's kind of like exercise. It may seem like a pain to go through the steps to make it happen and it's easy to just not do it, but the result is well worth it. My kids can look back at photos of themselves just enjoying life. It doesn't have to be just a birthday party or just a family vacation. My favorite photos in this layflat photo album are of everyday moments like going to the park or playground and just spending time together.

Don't forget to get IN the photos, too! Often parents are too busy taking photos of their kids or chasing after them or trying to get their attention for the photo that they don't want to be in the photo. This photo above was taken at brunch on a Sunday while we were waiting for our food. There was nothing glamorous about where we were or what we were doing, but when a baby has cheeks like mine does, they need to be kissed. I'm working on a wall of some of our favorite family photos and this framed print is one of them.

This is one of my favorite photos that Bob took while we were visiting our parents back in April in Philly. We were in my parents' backyard and my dad was taking Coco around to look at the flowers. It wasn't a grand moment. It wasn't a special occasion. It was just normal life. Yet that sweet moment captured tells such a big story. I can't wait to give this framed print to my dad for Father's Day.

To recap, here are a couple tips for capturing the everyday:

1. Bring your camera with you everywhere. At first, it will seem more like a pain then it's worth. But once you get used to capturing more of life, it will come naturally. It helps to have something smaller that won't be a pain to lug around (even an iPhone works!). But once you get into the habit of it, it becomes second nature.

2. Get in the photo. It doesn't matter what you're wearing or what your hair and makeup look like. Your kids think you look amazing no matter what! And someday, when your kids look back on these photos they want to see their parents (and grandparents) in the photos with them, too. 

3. Capture those moments and then put the camera away. You don't have to be taking photos all day long, but bring it out during certain moments where it just feels right. You can never shoot too much and with kids, you often have to shoot more to make sure you get a good shot. And then stick the camera in your bag, soak up those moments that pass too quickly and enjoy life!

P.S. Two fun things…

1) Artifact Uprising has kindly offered 10% off any item with code OHJOYFD10 valid through June 1, 2016. AND…

2) You can enter your email address in the box below to enter to win $250 credit with Artifact Uprising towards a photo gift for your Dad/Husband/Grandpa for Father's Day. Entries close on May 31st at midnight.

UPDATE: Congrats to Courtney S. from Vancouver BC, Canada for being our winner this time!

This post is brought to you in collaboration with Artifact Uprising—a brand I've been using and loving for years. All content, ideas, and words are my own. Thanks for supporting the sponsors that allow me to create new and original content like this for Oh Joy.

{Photos by Mary Costa, styling by Julia Wester, personal photos by Joy and Bob Cho}