Getting your family to pose for the annual Holiday Card Photo can be frustrating, but it doesn't have to be! Here are some great tips to capture an image you can cherish season after season.
Step 1: Be Realistic
If you don't over-complicate the holiday photo, it will be easier to capture. Focus on a good, clear view of the people in the photo. Sometimes the best shots are the unexpected, spontaneous ones. And if you have no idea of what you are doing hire a photographer.
Do you need a good photographer? My good friend Noelle from Bosh Images is amazing.
Oh...did I mention that she is FANTASTIC with children?
You can contact her at: boshimages.com Be sure to tell her I sent you!
Step 2: Choose a Location
Where you take your photograph will set the tone for your card. Don't choose a background that will be distracting: blazing fires can be tricky, as can the ocean on a bright, windy day. Beware of obstacles. Avoid including any objects that may end up looking like they're growing out of Aunt Sally's head. If your location will be outdoors, check the weather and have a backup date in case it won't be favorable. Remember that a really sunny day can be just as difficult as a downpour. Don't restrict your shooting to pre-Christmas. A family vacation creates great opportunities for that year's card. Spontaneous shots will portray genuine emotion, too.
Step 3: Decide on the Dress Code
Coordinating outfits are a popular choice, but other families prefer a to-each-his-own approach. If you've decided the crew should match, keep it simple. Too many patterns are distracting. Decide to dress everyone in a white shirt, for example. Or, better yet have everyone wear one common color. I may wear a navy dress, my daughter will wear a navy shirt, my husband has a simple plaid shirt that has navy and my son is wearing navy pants. I like this option because it is does not look so matchy matchy!
Step 4: Technical Points
Consider the light. Perhaps the worst time of all is midday, when the sun is directly overhead. People look their worst when you photograph them between about 10 in the morning and 2 in the afternoon Be sure to keep the light behind you, whether inside or out. Zoom in to make your family the focal point and avoid distracting backgrounds.
Step 5: Final Steps
How you print and present your photo will matter. Be sure to edit your photos if you've used a digital camera to crop, reduce red-eye, or resize your chosen image. Choose a print shop you trust for this important project. If you're unsure, give a few places a test shot so you can compare your options before making your final order. Matte or glossy? Again, a few test shots will help you make this decision. Consider how the photo will be presented this season—in a photo frame card, as its own card, as an insert in a traditional card? If your picture is digital and you're uploading it to a stationery site like mine, be sure it meets specifications for resolution and size.
That's about it! Hope these tips will help you with your photos this season.
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