Make Your Family Holiday Images Picture Perfect

Thanksgiving will be here before we know it and families will be gathering. This is the perfect time to capture that family photo for your holiday card. Maybe it’s a large group shot of the extended family, shots of individual families or just the kids and fur babies. 

Sarah E. Gibbons, associate professor – Photography at The Art Institute of Raleigh-Durham provide a few easy tips to take the perfect holiday photo:

 Here are 8 tips to make your family holiday images picture perfect:

1.    Select your Christmas card first.  Then, you can focus on taking all of your shots in that orientation, be it horizontal or vertical.  Most cell phone cameras have significantly improved and are excellent for these types of pictures, so don’t feel like you must invest in professional equipment.

2.    While it may seem obvious, have some unity to your family “look” and make sure you communicate this to others.   Don’t have Mom dressed up in her Sunday best while the kids pose in jeans and a sweatshirt. Continuity is key. These matching Christmas sweaters are perfect for the whole family! 

3.    Look at the background.  Outdoors works great especially in the late afternoon when the lighting is just perfect.  Don't be afraid of a cloudy/overcast day.  It makes for soft light.  If however, you are somewhere when it is not possible to go outside, turn on all the lights in the house and open doors and windows if possible to bring the outdoors in. Don’t position your group in front of a busy highway or complex background. Keep it simple. Consider an open field or brick wall. This Christmas backdrop is perfect for years to come! 

4.    If the group is large, position family members in a variety of levels and have the matriarch and/or patriarch front and center. 

5.    Be in the shot.  Get a neighbor or friend to come by and shoot the image.  Maybe cousin Mary Lou doesn’t like to be in pictures, but to her family it is important that she is there AND seen.

6.    Don’t stress out and don’t make a day out of it.  Keep the session short.  You should be able to get what you need in 10-15 minutes. Remember this should be fun and not a chore.

7.    If you are taking a photo of kids only, make certain you are on their level and that you don’t shoot down at them. Your camera should be around their eye level.  

8.    Just one more….When you think you have a good shot, take just one more.  People are more relaxed and that unexpected shot is often the best.