Digital Photos, Go for the quality

There is nothing worse then trying to do a good job with the wrong tools and it's the same with trying to make a good photograph enlargement with a bad image.
If the subject of the images is too far away it is going to look distorted, out of focus, grainy and pixelly. If the image is improperly exposed, if the faces are in the shadows, obscured by something in the way you won't be happy.
Do the cropping of the picture right in the camera, have the things and people you want in the finished picture, not all the surroundings, tables, backrounds or things of no interest. Unclutter or de-clutter your picture so the eye is more focused on the actual subject of the pciture. In short, you can do the work as well as the camera by getting closer to the subject of the photo, get at the same level of the subject, make the picture interesting but always, always take pictures and more pictures.
The huge benefit to digital photography is the quantity of photos you can take and later delete but take them. When photographing people, especially groups of family members at birthday parties, anniversaries or get together take several photos, not just the one.
Chances are if you take only one someone will have their eyes closed, be looking away or making a funny or not so funny face. Take the pictures a little serious because if you don't you may not have exactly what you are looking for.
Secondly, make the camera do the work. After you took several picutres at the subjects level and close to the subject. Check your images on the LCD, (liquid crystal display) screen, ensure you are happy with the picture it is always easier to take a few more photos when you have everybody together at the same time then trying to get everyone to agree to pose for the photo a second time.
Again, take pictures, lots of pictures and keep smilling.