Holiday Card Photo Tips

By Heather Kempskie


Are you dreading the whole holiday card photo process? Do visions of cranky kids, red eyes and over-the-top bribes have you sweating? P&K spoke with local photographer Elizabeth Horne, of Elizabeth Horne Photography, to get some inside tips on taking the perfect photo of your children.



P&K: What are your three best tips for parents looking to capture a perfect holiday card photo of their children?


Horne:

• Dress your kids COMFORTABLY.  Don't force them into fancy clothes- if you happen to grab a great shot when they're dressed up- great- but otherwise focus on comfy, but nice clothes. There's nothing worse than getting a holiday card of a child in a filthy, drooly top! 
• Try using the outdoors. Even if it's not super warm, find an area with evergreens. It's a nice holiday backdrop anyway.  Or use your front steps. Or focus just on the faces so the background is less important. You'll have more success with the digital point and shoots if you take the flash out of the equation.
• Try for candid, not posed shots. More than likely your kids will smile (without even knowing it) and appear happy in the photo when they're not posed.  And you can always do individual shots too.  Most of the online photo sites (Kodak Gallery, Snapfish, etc) have cards that you can use more than one photo on. So individual candids of each child works well.
  

P&K: Are bribes, like M&Ms, not a good idea?


Horne: Bribes are just fine- but I'd save them until you're pretty desperate.  If you start out bribing them by the end the "you'll get an ice cream if you smile!" seems to wear off.  But if you try for those candids....  no bribe necessary.

P&K: What are the best holiday photos you have seen? Are people getting more creative or it is the typical seated pose with kids in Santa hats?


Horne: Photos are getting more and more casual.  People are getting very creative, and as I mentioned those card layouts you can use on the photo sites help it.  You may even want to start by choosing a layout you like then take some shots to fit into them. The best ones I have seen are when I can really see the kids (clear, well exposed photos that aren't blurry and are close up) I love seeing how they grow over the years as I'm sure everyone does!