The Holidays are H-E-R-E which can only mean one thing! Tis the season for Thanksgiving dinners, company Christmas parties, and….family holiday photos. If thinking of rounding up your brood for family pics makes you in need a Mimosa (or two), here’s a no stress guide to taking beautiful holiday pics from the comfort of your own home:
#1. Hire a photographer
Not a real one of course. Pick a family member, neighbor, or friend (preferably one who owes you a favor) and persuade them to be your family photographer for a day…or at least for an hour.
#2. Choose your location
Indoor or outdoor family pics…that is the question. While location choices are endless for family photos, the best locations for family holiday pics are locations that are meaningful to your family. Does your family love Thanksgiving? Stage a family photo shoot in front of the Thanksgiving table. Does your family love Christmas? Stage a family photo shoot right in front the Christmas tree. Does your family love to fish? Stage a family photo shoot at the lake.
#3. Select a background
While outdoor family photo shoots have Mother Nature as the background (think rolling hills, beautiful lakes), indoor family photo shoots (even the one by the Christmas tree) need a background to turn out great. Why? Because a background creates a clean picture (no doors, no windows, no distracting wall paintings etc.) and draws the eye towards the primary focus of the pic – the family.
The trick to creating a background is to find a sheet in the background color of your choice, and tack the sheet on a wall so that the sheet drapes down behind the photo prop (Thanksgiving wreath, Christmas tree etc.). For color continuity in the photo the sheet should be long enough to extend and cover the area where your family will be standing so the carpet or flooring won’t be a distraction in the picture.
#3. Wear solids
Mom, take charge. While it may be tempting to let every family member pick out the outfit they will wear, too many clothing patterns and colors can make holiday pics look too busy.
Family pics turn out best when the family is dressed in coordinating solids. Choose two colors which coordinate with your theme (ie: orange/yellow, red/orange, red/white, etc.) and make sure each family member is dressed in at least one of the colors.
#4. Don’t be afraid to use your cell phone’s camera
In the past, while only professional cameras could capture good pics, technology has enabled smart phones to take equally good pictures. Plus, with the editing apps and smart phone photo capabilities (crop photos anyone), taking great family pics is as easy as 1…2..3…!
Written by: Candice Denise Cole, Modern Domestic Staff Writer