Ask Holly: Tips For a Great Holiday Photo

Growing up in the 70’s and 80’s, my mother would lose her mind staging our family Christmas picture. My mother, brother and I would be dressed in outfits that coordinated with each other and the background while Dad, a free agent, would dress in something to throw a wrench into the entire picture. Wild shirts, brightly colored moon boots (remember them) and deep v-neck sweaters that were not meant to be worn on their own.

My brother would be holding in an internal gas bomb planned to detonate right before the timer on the camera would stop clicking, messing up the entire shot.  This type of Tomfoolery would cost us hours of free time because we needed the PERFECT FAMILY PICTURE and my brother was a clown. This of course would be mailed with the annual Korus Christmas Letter, aka “My kids are better than yours.”

Fake staged pictures drive me crazy, I say photos should be fun, real and interesting.  Wouldn’t you rather see  fun pictures of your friends living room camping trip rather than a collage from their Disney Cruise?

Here are my tips for a great holiday photo, as well as tips from Barista Kids photographer Chanda Hall and owner of Montclair’s Best Friend Photography Michael Stahl:

My Tips:

• Don’t say “smile” try having the kids say funny words like, “poopy, martini or stinkie” The “ee” sound at the end of the word makes the mouth end in a smile.
• Point in the air to the left or right and say, “Everyone look over there.” This a great trick to get all eyes focused on one thing.
• Have your kids walk down a path holding hands walk behind them and say, “Turn and look at me”. The result can be lovely
• Asking the kids to look up at something usually shakes away the need to make the fake picture smile or odd pose that every kid does.
• I love the free site Picmonkey.com it is user friendly and lets you do everything from change your picture to black and white to whitening teeth and or getting rid of under-eye circles and wrinkles.

Chanda Hall’s Tips:

• Get close up! Many people take their photos from too far away, but getting closer creates new perspectives and interesting angles, and it feels more personal.
• I am a big fan of natural light whenever possible – except really strong sunlight, which creates harsh shadows and leaves the subjects squinting.
• The best pictures I have taken of my kids happened when they were relaxed and having fun, and often when they were focused on something else or immersed in an activity.
• Posed pictures can turn out well, but have fun with it – the more relaxed everyone is, the better. Shoot a lot of frames so you have options, and keep shooting after the posed moments.
• Experiment, try things – and have fun!

Michael Stahl’s Tips:

• If you are going outside, the direct sun is not your friend. Find a spot that is just on the border of sun and shade, being careful not to go into an area that is too dark.
• If you are inside, the flash on your camera is not your friend, either.  If you have a flash that mounts to the top of your camera, try tilting it at the ceiling or a wall so the light “bounces” into the scene.
• Find interesting angles.   An adult tends to shoot slightly down at younger kids.  Try shots where you are even with, a little below, or way above the kids.
• Holiday clothing is often fun and funky, but can sometimes overwhelm the shot.  If you find the clothing distracting, take a look at some of your favorites in black and white.  And while I don’t advocate having everyone match, achieving some harmony with the clothes can make for a better picture.  Avoid a lot of contrast in the clothing.
• Don’t say the “S” word!  Don’t ask, or worse, demand that children smile.  Just be funny!
• After you create a set up you like, take lots of images.  This is better than taking only a few in several different formations.
• And maybe the most important tip:  If possible have someone else other than mom or dad take the photos.  For some reason, kids respond better to someone they don’t know as well.  So wrangle a neighbor or friend and make yourself scarce.

I know my Dad was being a total tool with his wacky wardrobe choices but this many years later looking at these old photos I am glad. They give the otherwise boring pictures flavor.

Questions? Just Ask Holly in comments.