10 Tips & Tricks for Better Home Videos

With today's video cameras, recording your family gatherings and events is a snap. But creating genuinely entertaining, watch-'em-again-and-again home movies requires more than just pointing and shooting. Never fear. With our ten tips and a bit of advice from director Michael Lembeck (The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause, and a veteran of years shooting his two kids, now ages 21 and 25), we'll help you earn a star on your family's own Hollywood Walk of Fame.

1. SEE THE LIGHT

A good shot is often dictated by the direction and quality of light, and for most situations that means a soft, warm light on your subject's face. One rule to remember is to always keep the light source behind your camera, even when shooting outdoors. Indoors, turn on all the lights or open all the shades. Lembeck also stresses the importance of the light's quality. "Natural light is always the best light, anytime you can get it," he says.