10 Tips For Taking The Best Family Photo For Christmas Cards

Taking a family photo isn’t always the easiest task. From selecting what to wear to getting all the kids to cooperate, it can all get a bit crazy. And we all want those “Hallmark” family photos to put on our Christmas cards
So whether you are taking it your self or letting a professional take your families photo, here are 10 great tips to help you and your family capture a card worthy image.

Outfits

1. Don’t be all “Holiday”. It is the season for reds and greens but don’t look past other colors. Wear outfits that you won’t mind looking at all year long. You never know if Grandma may ask for an 11×14 of it.
2. Coordinate but don’t match. Keep them everyone in the same color family of in complimentary colors. I like to follow New York City–based photographer Meg Miller, she says choosing outfits for family photos should be like choosing colors for a room. “First pick a color scheme, then add different shades, textures and patterns. Neutrals, which include denim, can and should be mixed in.”  However there is one rule, make sure you match each other in level of formality.
3. Also just like I tell my branding clients, DO NOT patterns. At let keep them to one item and pick one that is toned down, so that it is not distracting or dominating in the image.
4. YOU DONT HAVE TO TAKE FORMAL PICTURES. Get silly and real with each other, this is the side of your family that we want to remember. Not the scared deer in the headlight look that little susie gives the camera because she has never met this stranger ever in her life and she is 2. Whew!! Ever been there? If you have littles, laugh with them, play with them. Save the serious more pictures for when they are older.
5. Also take advantage of being all dressed up. I always try to get mom and dad alone, maybe you have heard the why of why I became a photographer. I realized after my father died that I had no pictures of them together. So I try to always make sure that will never be the case with any of my clients. Don’t forget to get one of dad with the kids and then mom with the kids. These make great gifts on Mothers or Fathers Day to go on a desk at work or even on the bedside table.
6. Get other in the family to help with the planning. Kids will feel better if they have a say in what they wear. That does not mean that you have to let them wear what ever they want. But give them parameters or maybe a few choices. Let them know that this is a special event and you want them to be a part of it.
7. Be yourself. This is not the time to try that new shade of lipstick, or to research how to get “camera ready”. This is not for a magazine its a special moment in time to capture the real you and your family.
8. Pick the right photographer. Don’t pic because they are doing super cheap minis for a limited time. Check out your local photographer and stalk them. Look at their web sites, their social media sites. Do you like what you see, do they portray the same type of images that you are dreaming of. If you like light and airy looks for your picture, then don’t choose a photographer that does dark and moody. If you want a studio portrait, don’t use a photographer that shoots only natural light outside. Do your homework first.
9. Spend a few mins with your photographer when you book going over what shots you would like to do. If you have 10 different poses or combinations of people that you want and you only have booked a 15 min session, it’s going to get a bit crazy. Photography is an art not an assembly line. Also be wary of photographer that promise those 10 different poses in that 15 mins, especially if you have little ones.
10. Location, location, location…. can any more be said. Pick a location that is fun and speaks to you. It always kills me when a family that is very outdoors wants to do a in studio, very portrait like image. It may look very well on the wall or on cards, but is it showing the true nature of that family.
    

Most importantly have fun. Once you’re in front of the camera, try to enjoy the experience.
Don’t worry about what the kids are doing or how crazy they are acting, don’t even worry about all the fly-a-ways. Let me take care of that.

Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas from my family to yours.