7 pro tips for taking the perfect DIY holiday family photo
Holiday celebrations may look a lot different this year, but the tradition of taking a holiday family photo continues, and will likely take on even more importance.
Whether you’re sending out hundreds of foil-embossed prints or deferring to digital this year, you want photos that capture the heart of your family.
“There’s quite a bit that goes into creating an amazing, yet natural holiday photo,” said Debi Cramer, founder and photographer at Plymouth-based commercial and fine art studio Thirty-Eighth Avenue Photography who’s offering on-location front porch holiday photos this season.
Planning on taking your own family photo? Here are her insider secrets for stunning holiday photos:
“Matchy-matchy” is a good thing.
Coordinate outfits color-wise. For example, if one person is wearing red plaid, make sure other family members are also wearing red or a complimentary color. Avoid wearing metallic. Solid colors such as white, red, green, gold and black are best. In groups of four, only one person should be wearing plaid or a pattern. And yes, coordinating pajamas work just fine. Don’t be afraid to incorporate textures by wearing a shearling jacket or polar fleece.
When it comes to lighting, avoid the sun and flames.
If you’re outdoors, don’t shoot into the sun as it washes out the photo. Campfire shots are not recommended as it’s difficult to frame people around a fire, plus there’s a lot of smoke and the glow affects lighting. If you’re indoors, use a flash to avoid a yellow tinge and shadows in your photo. Also, leave any lit candles or lamps out of your holiday shot.
Backdrop is key.
Simplicity is key when it comes to backdrop. Limit what’s behind you. Multicolored lights on a Christmas tree in the background works well as the lights will fade out. Another great backdrop example is the side of a barn at a Christmas tree farm. Or, just the trees in the background (check your viewfinder to ensure it doesn’t appear as if branches are coming out of the top of someone’s head). If you wanted to get more elaborate, consider the tree backdrop with everyone seated on the tailgate of a red pick-up truck.
Frame it just right.
Mind the spacing between family members as they often stand or sit too far apart. Remember to leave enough space above people’s heads in the photo too. Otherwise, when the photo is framed, it cuts across the tops of heads. If you’re indoors, keep it simple and take a tight shot. No need to show the entire home in the photo. Again, be aware of any background items that make it appear too busy or as if the item is part of someone’s shoulder.
Mind the pose.
Try to avoid the stiff “super posed” portrait of yesteryear. If a large family is gathered, make sure that everyone is looking at the camera. Mind all hand, arm and leg positioning. Raising an arm or waving is not only distracting, it may block another’s face in the photo. In a photo with five or fewer - hugging, holding hands and engaging with one another appears natural.
Keep props simple.
The family photo can be fun and celebrate the season with some very simple props. The easiest prop is clothing such as scarves, hats and mittens. Other tasteful props include a nostalgic wooden sled, ice skates tied together and dangling over a shoulder, someone holding skis up or ski poles (pointed down).
Skip the cheese.
A holiday photo really serves as a memory and marks a special moment. You may want to refrain from “cheesy” photos of pets adorned with holiday lights, or dad wearing a Grinch costume, or play-fighting with those ski-pole props mentioned above.