A quick tip for taking your own holiday photos!

I don’t think many people realize how much I DREAD taking my own children’s holiday photos? It as if I go through a metamorphosis and what once was a patient children’s photographer turns into this stressed out, almost threatening, sometimes bribing mom… awww heck, let’s be honest here– I am a raving lunatic. The best and worst part of the day is that I still have to be the photographer. It is now that I truly sympathize most with every parent I’ve worked with! It really doesn’t matter how much preparation and planning goes into the setting, the outfit, it always turns out the same. I get 99% this:

AND 1% this:

I’m so elated and overjoyed to get even one good picture of them together that I kiss them both and forget about how horrible they were! BUT WAIT– where’s my son in this picture? CRAP, I guess we’ll just have to do it again tomorrowThose pictures (if and when they actually happen) will not be posted until Christmas…LOL!

So a few words of advice for those of you planning that perfect holiday shot of the kids.

1. If you are planning the photo outdoors, try to time it early in the morning before 9:00 am or late in the afternoon around 4:00 pm. If that won’t work for you, find some shade or use your flash (using the flash should be your last resort unless it is an off camera flash and you really know how to use it, in which case, you probably don’t need my advice!).
2. Be realistic in what your expectations are. A child who normally doesn’t follow directions well will not magically follow directions because you want them to really badly (this is a note for myself)! As a matter of fact, the more you show how badly you want the picture, the worse they may behave! I give my children 15 minutes and I get what I get. Aunt Betty and Uncle Joe will love the photo regardless!
3. For posing, start by trying to get the kids to snuggle in close to each other (without touching– we know how that goes) and zoom in on their faces, then zoom out a little and take another, then do a full body. Depending on how you will use the photo– you may want a closeup for one purpose and the full body image for another.
4. Keep talking to them while you are taking the pictures. Ask them about their favorite cartoon character, favorite subject, what they want for Christmas, if the little brother smells… whatever keeps them connected with you and keeps their attention. After you’ve captured them looking at you, try asking them to interact with each other. Whisper a secret to one another– if you have a small baby, ask a bigger child to kiss the baby’s toes, tell them a funny joke or make a noise that simulates a bodily function (usually gets a laugh). These kind of photos are usually my favorites!
5. Remember that sometimes the most perfect photos are the ones that you almost don’t take or the ones that make you furious at the moment! Don’t stop snapping just because everyone isn’t looking or smiling. It’s digital, you’ve got nothing to lose!
6. When you are all done, sit down and enjoy your favorite beverage! Be thankful that you don’t have to do this for another year! And if you can’t fathom doing it yourself, you can always call me next year!

I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST AS YOU EMBARK ON THIS EXPERIENCE!