The holidays are coming and it’s time to start thinking about your holiday photo. Professional photos are nice but not necessary. Opt for a DIY photo shoot in your own backyard. We've got some great tips to make it easy and fun for everyone.
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What to wear. It’s easy to choose outfits once you know what kind of photo you want. Will it be fun and laid–back or classic and elegant? Wear casual clothing for an informal outdoor shot or dress up for a more traditional approach. You’ll also want to leave behind the busy holiday patterns and make sure family members aren’t wearing clashing colors.
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Go for the gold.The best photo–taking light is the “Golden Hour” just after dawn or just before sunset. Early risers? Get a shot with everyone in their PJs in bed. Forgo the flash for the best effect. If you prefer late afternoon, head outside just before Thanksgiving dinner while everyone’s all dressed up.
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Look behind you.Be mindful of the background. Mantles are a popular spot, but they often reflect camera flashes or even overpower the scene. Instead, opt for a light–colored wall or a landscape of trees.
Skip the stiff poses. A picture of the kids playing in the snow or sand looks great in a holiday card. Let everyone have a chance with the camera. You’ll be surprised what a six–year–old can do.
Portraits can sometimes look flat, so sit, stand and kneel to energize the shot. Have parents sit and kids stand. Make a pyramid. Better yet, get the shot of the kids trying to make the pyramid. Or take a shot from a bird’s–eye view of your kids lying down. You can also get behind them while they look at each other from the side.
Get candid shots of your family talking and smiling to really showcase your family’s relationship. This allows their personalities to shine through. And, make sure you take dozens of pictures to get the one shot where everyone is wide-eyed and happy. Shoot between shots to capture candid, fun and unexpected moments.
Ask a neighbor or friend to take your family photo and then do the same for them.
Everyone loves the classic Santa photo. If you don’t have time to do your own photo shoot, bring your kids to Santa. Shutterfly has partnered with Cherry Hill Photo, the leader in holiday photography serving over 365 shopping centers worldwide.
If you want to use photos from your vacation, try soft hues in pale greens to complement your summer photos.
Don’t be afraid to tighten the frame. Remove background objects or use the Shutterfly crop tool to get a close–up shot of smiling faces. In addition, try cropping off–center for a more artistic look.
If you find that your clothes clash with the colors of the card, use the black–and–white or sepia editing tool. The result can be surprisingly modern and fresh.
For a collage–style holiday card, arrange photos that best tell your story. Crop in tight to make use of the small space. Try a series of photographs in motion to add a sense of animation.
