I am not an expert photographer but I have to admit that I am a pretty good amateur one. I also have a family, which led me to borrow this book at the library the first chance I was able to.
After a few hours of reading, I was hooked. I took out my Canon Powershot (I know, I know...what can I say - I am low budget by necessity) and started snapping away at everything I could. I came back with some pretty sweet shots that actually persuaded my husband to maybe buy me a rebel for x-mas...

The book is a great guide. #1 in my opinion.
In both belief, influence, and technique, it is superior compared to most of the photography books and magazines that I have already read.
Intimate and exhilarating, I find that simple phrases in this book can lead to many more possibilities (if one is willing).

I recommend buying this book. 100%.

I am just starting out in photography and this book not only gives great tips on how to take better pictures of your family, etc, but also why to take pictures. It's also really enjoyable to read, not boring or over my head.

I enjoyed this book a lot. It would a great first book for learning how to photograph your family. It is deceptively simple in its approach and a lot the stories within the book have a Joe McNally "The Moment It Clicks" personal feel to them since he uses his own family photos throughout the book with stories about each photo. He explains why some photos work and some don't. He prefers natural light so don't expect lighting diagrams in the book. I would characterize the photo style as documentary. If someone were to ask me to recommend a single book on photographing a family, this would be the book I would recommend.

I picked this book up after seeing the author and book profiled on CBS Sunday Morning. I would like to return it as it falls short of really teaching one how to photograph their family. I love photography... and I love my family, but I'm no better off now as a photographer having bought this book. Unfortunately, I can't recommend the book and I'm a big fan of this photographer.

You know how you used to take lousy photos with your old film cameras, but then the digital revolution came along and you finally bought an expensive, feature-laden 10MP digital SLR and you suddenly find yourself... still taking lousy photos?

Yes, because it doesn't matter what kind of camera you have. You still need to learn a few hints and tips to use it properly. A photographer with good skills could get amazing images out of a pin-hole camera.

The wonderfully clear and simple new National Geographic book, Photographing Your Family, provides just about everything you need to know about taking great pictures of your kids, spouse, friends, pets, and whoever else you point your camera at. Award-winning photographer Joel Sartore offers his guidance and tips on subjects ranging from light to composition to printing. More importantly, on every page of the book he features examples of his own images. There is no better way to learn photography than to study the work of others. Sartore's accompanying text is easy to understand for a beginner, but detailed enough for those who might need a refresher. My 9-year-old son even enjoyed looking through it, and picked up a few techniques he can use right away.

So, stop taking lousy photos. Instead, take the time to learn a few things so you can start having fun with your camera. Photographing Your Family is the best book I've seen for helping the average person capture those special family moments that belong in a photo album. Highly recommended!