Mom, photographer, and 500px all-star Elena Shumilova‘s photos of her kids have made her a household name in family photography. The candid images of her two boys playing are, in a word, magical (as the 8M+ views on her 500px account alone will testify) and she recently shared a few tips that will help you capture some of that magic as well.

In the video below by SmugMug, Elena offers 4 expert tips for better child photography. A perfect pre-Mother’s Day post, these tips are ideal for the moms and dads out there who want to shoot better candid, un-posed images of their children and capture memories you’ll treasure for decades to come.

Take a look for yourself:

If you follow these tips — photograph them every day, select clothes that aren’t distracting, photograph when the time is good FOR THEM, and relax & have fun — you’ll soon be on your way to capturing heartwarming moments like there:

To see more of Elena’s wonderful photography, follow her on 500px, visit her website, or give her a Like on Facebook.