You're sitting there thinking, "It's June. What did I miss?"
It's never too early to start thinking about your own holiday card photo! As professional photographers, we photograph everyone else's family images for holiday cards -- probably starting about now and not ending until November. But don't forget your family!
Here are a few pieces advice that will, I hope, assist you in getting your cards out on time, or at least motivate you to get a portrait of your own family in 2018.
1. Have fun!
For your own family, you can most likely allot less time for capturing holiday card-worthy images: about a half hour. Allow your children to be festive! Maybe even grab a few cute props from Target's Bullseye's Playground (aka "The Dollar Spot"). I'm not saying you have to use those photos for your card or your walls, but let them direct you a bit. What are your kids into right now? Maybe your oldest daughter is obsessed with Disney Descendants. Tell her that you'll take a few pictures of her in her Mal wig after you get some images of her with her younger sister. It's an almost guaranteed done deal!
2. Select your card style first.
There are about a million unique photo card designs and styles available. Come up with a short list of your favorite cards. This will help you style your family for your pictures!
3. Take 'too many' images.
We all know that our own children are often our toughest subjects. Just keep shooting. Sing it with me! Just keep shooting, just keep shooting, just keep shoot-ing, shoot-ing, shoot-ing ... This is a great opportunity to play with different angles, foreground and background depth, and even new locations. You do not have to get a photo of all your kiddos looking into and smiling at the camera! My favorite pictures are always the ones that evoke movement and genuine emotion. Don't forget a few individual images! This is also a lovely opportunity to capture a current photo of each of your kids.
4. Don't overdo it.
I know, I just told you to overshoot, but stay with me. What do your children usually wear? Create outfits from what they already have. If your daughters don't typically wear patent leather Mary Janes and tulle-stuffed skirts, they probably won't be terribly comfortable in these items. But if more formal portraits are your family's jam, by all means, go for that! Show off who you all are!
5. Select a location or a photographer.
Whether it's a local farm (be sure to get permission to shoot on property, first), a skate park, or a favorite family vacation spot, go figure out the best time of day to photograph there and where the ideal spots are to place your family members. Being prepared will help you keep things quick. If you aren't the best with self-timed portraits, a tripod, or both, offer to trade with a photographer you admire! This is a positive way to create a professional connection and maybe even foster a new friendship. Here is the directory for my favorite child and family photography association, The National Association of Professional Child Photographers.
What are you waiting for? Get planning!
Wishing you the best summer!
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