It’s that time of year again! Family Portraits! The holidays are just around the corner, which means it’s time to start thinking about your annual holiday card. If you’re like most families, you probably take your holiday card photo in front of the tree or at the mall Santa’s workshop. Why be like everyone else when you can get creative and come up with a holiday card photo that will really make your family stand out?

Time to break out the sweaters, scarves, and boots and head out for some family photos. But if you’re like most families, getting everyone on the same page (literally) can be a challenge. Between work, school, extracurricular activities, and family obligations, it can be tough to find time to get a holiday photo. But with a little bit of planning (and these helpful tips), you can make sure that your family gets the perfect holiday photo without all the stress.

Family Portraits – Be Prepared

1. Plan ahead. If you wait until the last minute to schedule your family photos, you’re likely to be disappointed with the results. The best photographers book up quickly, so it’s important to schedule your session at least a few weeks in advance. This will also give you time to plan what everyone will wear. Take into account the colors of your home and the background you’d like for your photos, and coordinate outfits accordingly.

2. Get everyone on the same page (literally). Trying to herd cats? We feel you. But trust us, it’ll be worth it when everyone is looking at the camera and smiling at the same time. To make things easier, pick one person to be in charge of getting everyone organized. That way, you can focus on taking the perfect picture instead of being pulled in a million different directions.

3. I’ll say it again, prepare, prepare, prepare! The key to getting great family photos is preparation. I always tell my clients that the best way for their kids and those in charge of them, like grandparents or guardians ad litem (GAL), are well-prepared before we shoot so they can enjoy themselves without worrying about anything else! On the day of your photo session, make sure everyone has eaten a good meal and is well-rested. No one wants to deal with a cranky toddler or grouchy teenager, so avoid any meltdowns by making sure everyone is well-nourished and has had plenty of sleep. Also, take a few minutes to review what you’d like to accomplish with your photos. Do you want a casual family photo or something more formal? What poses do you want to try? By having a plan in mind, you can make the most of your photo session and get the results you want.

Family Photos – Kids, Props, Get Candid!

4. Kid Tip! making sure everyone has their favorite toy or blanket in tow (you know how kids love showing off what they’re carrying). Once those little hot spots are found it’ll feel like nothing else matters—they should look forward every time there are scheduled photographs taken now since mom/dad always lets them choose.

5.  Don’t be afraid to use props! A festive wreath or some holiday lights can really add to your family portraits. Just resist the urge to go overboard with props and staging. A few well-chosen props can add interest to your photos, but too many will just clutter up the frame and make it harder to focus on your subject (aka your beautiful family).

6. Get candid. The best holiday photos are often the ones that capture real moments and expressions. So instead of worrying about everyone being perfectly posed, try to capture some natural interactions between family members. Candid shots will not only be more enjoyable for you to take, but they’ll also be more special for your loved ones to look back on.

Family Photography – Relax & Keep It Simple

7. Relax and have fun! One of the best things about hiring a professional photographer is that they will take care of everything for you. All you need to do is relax and enjoy spending time with your loved ones. Let the photographer worry about getting everyone in focus and making sure the lighting is just right—you just focus on being present in the moment and enjoying this special time with your family.

8. Keep It Simple. Hiring a professional photographer for your holiday family portraits is always the best way to make sure you get great shots. 

With a little bit of planning, you can make sure that your family gets the perfect holiday photo without all the stress. Family photos are a treasured holiday tradition, but they don’t have to be stressful. By following these simple tips, you can make sure your holiday photos turn out great—without all the hassle!

P.S.

Our holiday mini sessions kick off this weekend in Clovis – Portales and the surrounding area! Glam it up, come in your favorite matching pajamas or ugly sweaters – do it your way!  I am so excited to launch my first ever Christmas Minis in Clovis-Portales and the surrounding area. I look forward to meeting and growing with each one of you! Saturday Nov.19th – Sunday Nov 20th.  Did you sign up yet?  Spots are limited book today: https://journeyfreephotography.com/clovis-new-mexico-christmas-mini-sessions