Beautiful moments routinely come and go in our lives. Fortunately most of us have at least one camera to capture a few of those unforgettable scenes. Cameras can be used for purposes ranging from birthdays to graduations, from a school play to tragic scenes on a battle field, and much more.

Unfortunately most people who stand behind the camera button do not have the expertise to snap high quality pictures that truly draw our attention.

We love our family members, friends, and work associates, but that love doesn't translate to photography talent. Consequently, many of us hire professionals to do the job for us, despite their often steep expense.

For those who wish to avoid the cost of paying others, below are a few brief techniques to guide you in capturing pictures you will be excited to show off.

1. For portraits, it is important to have an appropriate backdrop. Using a camera stand helps to stabilize the image and avoid blurring it.

2. Using the sun as your primary light source adds natural beauty to the picture. Make sure the sun is not directly in front of the camera lens but rather behind it.

3. Natural poses usually make a picture more appealing. Photographers should try to make their subjects feel at ease before taking a shot. Indulging them in friendly conversation prior to the picture usually lightens the atmosphere.

4. While taking a picture, make sure that each person or object that you intend to be in the picture is included in the view. Provide polite instructions if necessary.

It is advisable that the tallest person stand in the back row with shorter people in front so that nobody is missed from the shot. The positioning can be delicate for someone who is sensitive about their height (short or tall), so approach this step with due consideration.

5. Occasionally - perhaps frequently - you will want to take spontaneous shots. These are good alternatives to stiff, artificial smiles and poses that squelch a person's natural style when you point camera toward them. These kinds of pictures are great at weddings, birthdays, and other festive events.

The job of a good photographer is to capture their subject's best moments, such as when they are truly at ease and not actually trying hard to "act natural" in front of a camera - usually a prescription for capturing a horrible pose.

A photographer should also make sure the people in the pictures look as natural as possible. A great picture will bring out the innate personality and beauty of the subject - rather than serving as an attempt to create what isn't really there.

Practice often, and take as many pictures as you can until you are comfortable using your specific camera. Over a period of a few months or even weeks, you may surprise even yourself at how compelling some of your pictures turn out.

And if you are not happy with your early photography results, don't give up. Developing a talent for picture-taking is a learned skill and for most people requires a dedication to practice and ongoing learning.