If you haven’t had time to get your family documented by your favorite photographer this year, you might feel stressed & rushed into getting a decent photo to send out with your Holiday letter. Have no fear! I have a few tips to help provide solutions for this dilemma & they don’t have to involve agonizing attempts to rush into a ‘self portrait’ frenzy.
So here are my Top Suggestions on getting a great image to send out for the holidays (I’ve sited some visual examples below):
- Composition: I spent all of my years at the Savannah College of Art & Design studying the art of composition. Remember to cut out anything unnecessary in your image- if it’s not important, cut it out of the frame! Portraits are more interesting when distractions are minimal & focus is JUST on the person. Minimize!
- Great Light + Props & Activities: get the kids playing or taking part in their favorite activity. You can distract them while you find nice lighting & compose your shot. Settle for just getting a few great photos of the kids & using a card with multiple spots for images.
- Find Great Light! I’m going to mention this one again
Photography was once dubbed ‘painting with light‘ & I still subscribe to this way of thinking. I don’t have a shot without light! So turn off your automatic flash & search for natural light. Indoors your best bet would be a well lit window. Window light is the easiest way to get soft beautiful light without much work.
- Choosing FUN Clothing- If you settle on doing a family portrait, think about your clothing. You don’t have to match, be fun- show who your family really is. Just keep it simple: color coordinate & avoid crazy, distracting patterns. *Remember, photographs are more intriguing when everyone isn’t smiling for the camera!
- Do Something Unexpected: Avoid the traditional family portrait, but rather spend an afternoon photographing your life. Shoot photos of the dogs, the horses- perhaps the new porch swing you just hung! Enjoy playing with your camera.
- MOST IMPORTANTLY! Break the rules of what’s expected for a holiday card. You don’t have to stage a smile for the camera. The best images are the ones that show a little personality- an inside view of your family life. If you ask your kids to stand & smile while you compose, you’ll end up with a photo full of forced smiles. Instead snap a few while they aren’t paying attention. You’ll be glad you did!
For more help on taking better photos of your kiddos, remember to sign up for our classes. We offer classes for both seasoned amateurs to mom’s just looking to get better photos of their kids. Everyone who takes a class with the studio gets a bonus offer on the next session they book with our studio. Our next round of classes will be offered after the New Year. These classes fill up fast, so send your inquiry in today!
REMEMBER when you want your family documented in an artistic way, give the studio a call & we’ll take care of you! (PS: This isn’t your average portrait session, we laugh, play & have fun. After all, it is a day in your life & every family has their own quirky fun! Most of the kids know me by name & get excited at the mere mention that I am coming over to play!)
1) Composition- think about your entire frame & USE IT!
2) Get Subjects Moving- Give them something to do- props are a great idea.
3) Beautiful Light.
4) Choosing Creative Clothing
5) Get away from traditional family portraits. Use an image that represents your life!
Example of all of the elements working to make a perfect image: composition, great lighting, un-posed/ un-expected moment!
I particularly like #5 — Do Something Unexpected: Avoid the traditional family portrait, but rather spend an afternoon photographing your life. Real life … that’s the way it should be!