Taking pictures of family events, outings with friends or even when you're off on a cruise is a way to keep those memories intact.
Any you'll be doing it your way, under your creative control.
Consider balance in the scene.
Asymmetrical scenes are more artful and easier on the eyes than Symmetrical.
Ensure their are no odd shapes behind the peoples heads.
For instance, a horse in a field off in the background could easily look a horse is sitting on the head of the person in the photograph.
Scan the area around the scene to eliminate things that might look out of place or take something from the portrait.
Try a different angle.
Carry your camera with you at all times.
You never know when an important event might occur.
Times with family and friends are especially important.
You'll want to capture those moments in time With good photography, you capture the laughter and you'll always have that to look back on in years to come.
Often the best photography comes with the unexpected moments.
Not every photograph should be posed.
Capture people when they are unaware their picture is being taken.
Use your focus well.
Many cameras have a short exposure time these days, so it doesn't take long to get the picture focused before it's snapped.
Ensure the camera's setting are corrected to outdoor in the sunlight, indoor portrait, museum, or close-up etc.
This will give you the correct exposure time as well as the ease of focus.
Relax and enjoy.
With digital photography, you are wasting film.
It's easy to remove the shots that don't reflect the photography you want to do.