Every family has their own set of traditions and memories. These are the things that make up who we are, where we come from, and what our story is. Family photography and portraits have been popular since the invention of the camera. Whether it’s a family photo to cherish your children as they grow older or an annual tradition with loved ones for Christmas cards, there is something special about capturing these moments in time with photographs.
Below, we have included our guide to taking Family Photos for any holiday of your choosing in 7 Easy Steps.
1. Holiday Family Photography
Get your family together for the holidays to take photos. You don’t want to miss out on this year’s Christmas card (or for any holiday), it’s wonderful to be able to have a tradition that includes photographing your family. No holidays are off limits, as now there are also mini-sessions available to help you capture professional photographs on any occasion – for a fraction of the cost. Also, consider having portraits taken with pets, in addition to other people who are important to you. It’ll be a great way to show off your family and friends!
2. Coordinating Outfits
Take some time to prepare by picking out outfits, so everyone looks their best. Getting ready for a family photoshoot can be a little overwhelming. What clothes should you wear? How do you prepare the kids? Do I need to bring anything with me? How do you orchestrate a photoshoot for a large family photoshoot?
We recommend looking at ideas on Pinterest for outfits, laying out good options, not being too matchy-matchy, and making sure everything is pressed. For large family gathering photoshoots, shoot out an email or group text message with several colors that would coordinate well with your theme. White, beiges, tans, and greys are mostly neutral and would be complimentary to many other vibrant colors.
We also want to make sure that parents don’t forget any items before heading out! It’s always a good idea to plan ahead if possible by packing an emergency kit with everything from snacks to drinks, extra clothes, diapers, wipes, toys (and whatever else you need to feel ready).
3. Strike a Pose
Decide on poses, and set your calendar, so you have everything ready when the photographer arrives. A family portrait is a classic, so not going over the top with cliché poses would be a safe bet. A cool, calm, and content pose is ideal for your family portraits. If you are working with a good photographer, they will have several prompts ready for you to do. Try not to squint, chin up, and smile.
For thematic settings, you can have more fun here. It seems more natural to look like you are having lots of fun, especially if you are outdoors, at let’s say a tree farm. Prompts that can stir up genuine emotions are always great too, like a mistletoe.
4. Find a Photographer
Finding a photographer in your area that specializes in family photography can be tricky. Make sure you like the work of the photographer you are working with, and that you have seen examples of their photography. Check out their events and pricing and book an appointment (or do the photoshoot yourself). Ask the photographer take pictures of each person individually and as a group. Make note of the time of the photoshoot and arrive early, to minimize nervousness and potential chaos.
5. Take Care of Yourself First
Eat healthy, drink lots of water, get enough sleep and exercise before the photo shoot day! You will look and feel your best, and that confidence will show. If possible, get some help from friends or relatives on the day of the shoot if it’s too difficult for one person (photographer) to do everything by themselves.
6. Have fun! Smile and Laugh
Even if you’re not feeling like it’s going well at first! It will turn out great! In many instances, people that are worried about how things look are surprised by how well the pictures turn out and how they did.
7. Props for Holiday Photography
Props can also make a photography experience a lot of fun – think about what props would go well with your photo shoot (e.g.: Pine tree for Christmas, Apples and Haystack for Autumn, a Bunny for Easter) or what will fit into the location of where you’re taking photos (e.g.: pumpkins on Halloween!)
Lastly, be sure to show off your photos proudly on social media or print them to hang around the house during the holiday season. The holiday season is all about being with family and friends, so why not make sure your favorite memories from the year are captured in photos? If you need a photographer to capture these moments for you, we’ve got just what you need. With an expert eye that captures every detail and emotion of each event, our team will take care of everything. From Valentine’s Day shoots to July 4th family gatherings, we do it all! So don’t wait any longer- book your session today!
You can be sure that all of your photos will be treasured forever and shared across generations to come!