Are you stressing about this year’s holiday family photo? Wrangling kiddos and spouses into a “natural”, happy photo op with perfect smiles, outfits and hair is almost always an unrealistic goal. Make it less daunting with a little prep and these quick tips—along with some of our favorite pictures from Pinterest. Learn how to get the pictures you want without the anxiety.
Location
- Location, location, location. Pick a location that matches your family’s personality.
- Look through some family photos online for inspiration. Pinterest is full of ideas!
- Inside vs. outside and time of day—for lighting purposes—are all things to consider in your final decision.
Posing
- Whether you are using a professional photographer or not—knowing a couple of pose ideas before the photoshoot can help you get just the picture you’re looking for.
- Standing up, laying down, just your feet and action shots—there are so many great options to choose from.
- Much like the location: pick poses your family loves, something they can agree on (at least by a majority), and attitudes that match your family’s character and disposition.
- Let loose and have FUN!
- Angle your body towards the camera instead of facing it square on.
- If you put weight on your back leg, you’ll feel more comfortable and look natural instead of awkward.
- Don’t leave your arms hanging straight down; try touching the person next to you or resting your hand on a nearby object.
- Have everyone look at places other than directly at the camera for a more natural look.
- Have a sense of humor. Laughing makes almost any problem better, and it looks great in photos too.
Family Cooperation
- Act excited about the family photoshoot from the first moment you tell them about it—attitude is contagious and this is going to be so much fun!
- Involve kiddos in the process: Can they help pick out the outfits or props? Let them know their input is valuable.
- Like with every family outing—allow plenty of extra time for less stress.
- Plan the actual picture taking for when your little ones are the happiest; work your photoshoot around the kids’ routines.
- Bring water and snacks to avoid any mid-shoot meltdowns.
- Go with the flow. No matter how much you plan, life is always waiting in the wings. The more flexible you are, the better results you’ll have—and the happier everyone will be.
Props
- They can be the difference between a good family photo and a great memory. Fun props provide that little something extra.
- Keep the props natural for the location and minimal for less stress. A Christmas tree, some ornaments or a wrapped present are some examples for a holiday family photo.
- Incorporate items that have meaning to your family, like highlighting an activity or hobby you like to do together.
- For tiny tots, a favorite toy or blanket may be the perfect prop to capture that special memory and keep them entertained and cooperative during the picture taking process.
- Wooden letters, chalkboards or even Scrabble tiles can help spell out a holiday message whilst adding some holiday cheer.
Outfits
- Coordinate a little or a lot—keep you family dynamic in mind. Messy playday or high fashion trends: Your outfits should match your overall family style.
- If the ultimate photo is getting framed and going up in your house—instead of just holiday cards—consider what will go well with the color of your home and the eventual location of the photo.
- Don’t be afraid of color or pattern; some diversity will add interest to the finished photo.
- That being said, you should avoid clothing with large graphics and logos—these are more distracting than fun.
- A similar color palette is almost always better than everyone wearing the exact same, matchy-matchy outfits.
Photographer
- Hiring a professional photographer is definitely worth it to make life simpler and less stressful. Ask for recommendations; your friends and family are the best source for finding a photographer that fits your family.
- Look at their website portfolios and visit their social media sites—usually, what you see is what you get.
- Make sure to schedule in advance; talented photographers book up fast—especially this time of year.
Don’t stress: Some of the best family photos can be spontaneous and an un-wrangled mess of kiddos, parents and pets in many different poses and actions. Those snapshots tell a story and that story is your crazy, wonderful family life. Remember why you’re doing this in the first place. It’s not about the pretty card, or the perfect family picture—it’s about the memories. That sounds picture perfect to us!
We can’t take those family pictures for you at Snip-its, but we can make sure your little ones are looking their best for your special family moments. Stop in for fresh ‘dos and sparkling, trendy styles. Our Kids Hair Experts are waiting.
