Christmas is probably the most photographed holiday of the year. So, I thought I would post a few photography tips for taking family portraits this holiday season
FRESH/CHARGED BATTERIES – Probably the most important step
- remember to charge your camera’s batteries.
- If you use AAs make sure to buy a few packages of new batteries so you don’t have to worry about the camera dying half way through your holday season.
NEW CARD
-Make sure your digital card has lots of room on it. There is nothing worse than shooting away and all of a sudden getting the message your card is full!
- I usually put an empty card in so I can take lots of photos without worrying about it. I also have a spare in case there are problems with the main sd card.
MAKE A LIST
- Think about what photos you want to take this weekend.
- If I am going to be seeing extended family I will often make up a little list of who I want to get photos of.
PORTRAIT IDEAS FOR THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS
- YOU AND YOUR PARENTS – When was the last time you had a photo of you and YOUR parents? They will be thrilled to have an updated photo!
- UPDATE YOUR FAMILY PORTRAITS – Remember to get someone to take family portraits of your family together.
- YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN – Moms – Make sure you get lots of photos with you and your children. My clients comment all the time how they have lots of photos of the kids with daddy but hardly any of them with the kids. Its the same in my family!
- 3 or 4 GENERATIONS? – This is the perfect time to get 3 generation or even 4 generation photos! Find a nice spot in front of the tree and remember to take a few so you get that one nice one!
- ALL THE GRANDCHILDREN – This is a great time to take a family portrait of all the grandchildren. I like to do a few of them sitting nicely together and then a few of them doing whatever they want. Make sure you do the sitting nicely ones first THEN let them get crazy! If they don’t want to cooperate, tell them you will let them do whatever they want IF they let you take 4 nice photos of them together. Works every time!
- YOU AND YOUR SIBLINGS – When was the last time you had a photo of you and your sister/brother? Always nice to have and yet something we often forget to do, especially once we all become parents.
REMEMBER YOUR VIDEO CAMERA TOO!
Remember to charge your video camera battery too and to make sure you have lots of room on the video tape/hard drive to shoot lots of video.
BE READY
Keep the video and digital camera visable and easy to get at. Sometimes in the rush of the day we forget to take advantage of all those wonderful photo oppportunities!
And finally, all families seem to have that one person who is the designated photographer. Remember to give that person a hug this Christmas!
Have a wonderful Christmas everyone!
Lorena
