On this short holiday show, I talk about making simple portraits of the people you love. I have been surprised at how many photos I have of my kids and how few are just their lovely faces. This show is all about why simple portraits are important and how to take great ones.

Group shots are not the most creative thing you'll do with your camera. On this episode, I talk about why you should go to the trouble of getting people together for group shots anyway. 

Steve Simon says learning about your camera and how to use it is important because it helps you get your camera out of the way. After that, you can get on to making great photos. We talk about the importance of personal projects, seeking critique and how much you can see when you just talk a simple photo walk.

I talk with Kate Densmore about her new book Stories of Home. We talk about documenting family life, composition and thinking about your "why" when taking family photos.