The holidays are upon us and besides getting the family together to pig out on turkey and all the fixings, it’s a great time to shoot everyone while you’re all together. Not literally, of course (although you may feel like it sometimes. jk jk)
Here are my best tips for a great DIY family photo this holiday season…
- Pick a spot. OUTDOORS: Choose open shade or an hour before sunset. Even better if you get a cloudy day, because the light will be rockstar for you. If your group is large, this is crucial. INDOORS: Make sure your space is large enough to accommodate everyone. Sometimes the garage or basement is actually a great choice… not only because you have a lot of room to step back and capture everyone, but also because the walls are typically pretty clean/uncluttered.
- Set up some folding chairs. This is for a couple reasons. First of all, Grandma is probably tired so she’ll appreciate a chair while everyone gathers. Second, it allows for varying heights of your subjects, making your shot look nice and neat.
- Group sub-families together. This makes it a TON easier to explain who’s related to whom as the family grows.
- Clothing. Seriously— do not stress over this. The beauty of photographs like these are that they are a sign of the times and a glimpse into the current chapter of your family. Part of this is fashion trends (good and bad) and having everyone well-represented with what they wear normally and who they are. If a more formal portrait is what your after, you’re better off hiring a professional who will pose and advise you on wardrobe accordingly.
- Employ a neighbor. What’s missing from the family photo? Oh yeah…. YOU. Ask a neighbor to click the button for you so EVERYONE is in the shot. They will be more than happy to do this for you.
- Share the love. Whoever has the best camera, make sure everyone chips in for prints and have Aunt Deb be in charge of printing. A photo is only as good as the paper it’s printed on. You are leaving a legacy for your family and printing is 99% of it. So PRINT! For the love of God and your family. <3
Hope you find these helpful!
