What tips do you have for holiday card photos?

by Mom-to-Mom

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Single shots are a great alternative

Single shots are a great alternative

<p>Unfortunately sometimes your kids just don't want to cooperate for the annual holiday card. That's when I take individual shots of my children and then combine them to make a card. Kids love to be the center of attention and this gives them the opportunity to be a star!</p> <p>Lynda: Tamron SP 70-300mm Di VC USD</p>
Be prepared to take lots of photos

Be prepared to take lots of photos

<p><p><p>I came to realize that the more kids I had, the more pictures I needed to take to get that one perfect shot! You know the shot I'm talking about - no one is blinking, fake smiling or, my personal favorite, scowling at their sibling for touching them. It can be a difficult task, so the goal is to be patient and be willing to take multiple pictures. It may take over 100 clicks of the camera, but you will get the picture you hope for and maybe even some funny shots in between!</p></p></p> <p><p><p>Lynda: Tamron SP 70-300mm Di VC USD</p></p></p>
Use a prop

Use a prop

<p><p><p><p>I sometimes use props. This year I used a "new home 2011" ornament given to me by a friend. This worked since our holiday cards will double as change of address cards! Since her dress was fancy I went for an ultra simple background. Some relatively empty space, such as grass, sky or empty wall, on one side of the picture is great for holiday cards. For instance, with the subject placed slightly to the right side, I have room to write a holiday greeting in the upper left.</p></p></p></p> <p><p><p><p>Jeanne: Tamron SP 17-50mm F/2.8 Di II VC</p></p></p></p>
Plan a color scheme

Plan a color scheme

<p><p><p>If I can get our dog in the picture, that is always an added bonus as she is part of the family, too. I rarely get them both to cooperate at the same time, but I think I had a relatively successful attempt here. I also try to have a simple color scheme with the background and clothing. This year's photo has 3 primary colors: tan, green and black. </p></p></p> <p><p><p>Jeanne: Tamron SP 17-50mm F/2.8 Di II VC</p></p></p>
Make a statement

Make a statement

<p><p><p>Now that my daughter is getting older, she loves to participate in planning and executing a creative idea - and it's a delight to work with her in the creative process. The card we made for this year is very special to us. We were fortunate enough to live just steps away from the beach for the last several years. Two short weeks ago, we had to move further inland - and we like our new home, but we both miss the beach very much. Her idea was to make a holiday card with a message from the beach, so to speak! And that's what we did. It was great fun for both of us, and our friends and family will know exactly how much the images mean to us.</p></p></p> <p><p><p>Liz: SP 70-300mm Di VC USD</p></p></p>
Create a collage

Create a collage

<p>Creating a holiday card doesn't have to be a challenge. A fun card can include a paragraph about what your family has been up to throughout the year along with listing out what each child has accomplished and what is new in your family life. A great way to show how much your family has changed is by creating a collage of pictures. There are many online websites that can help you with this. You simply drag and drop pictures, add text, and print. Your family and friends will love catching up by reading what you have been up to all year long and seeing your fun pictures. </p> <p>Hollie: Tamron 18-270mm Di II VC PZD</p>
What tips do you have for holiday card photos?

What tips do you have for holiday card photos?

<p>The moms are here this month to provide some tips and inspiration for holiday card photos. Have fun getting creative with your cards and best wishes for a safe, healthy and happy holiday season!</p> <p>Hollie, Janet, Jeanne, Liz, Lynda, Stacie & Stephanie </p>
Photograph the details

Photograph the details

<p><p><p>A great idea for holiday card photos is to capture the small details of the season like the Christmas tree decorations or your favorite holiday cookies.</p></p></p> <p><p><p>Stephanie: Tamron SP 60mm F/2.0 Di II Macro</p></p></p>
Turn on a string of lights

Turn on a string of lights

<p><p><p>If you don’t have time to get the entire family together, grab the kids and some holiday decorations and start exploring. Dim the interior lights and turn on a string of Christmas lights for the kids to play with and start snapping.</p></p></p> <p><p><p>Stephanie: Tamron SP 17-50mm F.2.8 Di II VC</p></p></p>
Capture the festive mood from a new perspective

Capture the festive mood from a new perspective

<p>Move around your subject and play around with different angles and positions to get a different perspective of the moment.</p> <p>Stephanie: Tamron SP 17-50mm F/2.8 Di II VC</p>
Break from convention

Break from convention

<p><p><p>I don't usually take conventional holiday card pictures because we are not a conventional family. We are an interfaith family and celebrate both Chanukah and Christmas. My pictures were taken on a beautiful fall day in our town. </p></p></p> <p><p><p>Janet: Tamron 18-270mm Di II VC PZD</p></p></p>
Keep colors and background simple

Keep colors and background simple

<p>The lighting was perfect and I think the kids stand out nicely against the background in their blue sweaters. Dressing them in similar colors draws the eye to them. I like my holiday card to be simple and to show my children without too much fuss in the background. </p> <p>Janet: Tamron 18-270mm Di II VC PZD</p>
Use the nighttime flash mode

Use the nighttime flash mode

<p><p><p><p><p><p>To get twinkling lights in the background, use the nighttime flash mode. Look for the icon on your mode dial that shows a person with a star. Then hold your camera steady (turn on your lens stabilizer or use a tripod) and ask your subjects to not move if they can help it. (My subject moved slightly, you can see the blur in her hands, but I loved this expression).</p></p></p></p></p></p> <p><p><p><p><p><p>Stacie: Tamron SP 17-50mm F/2.8 Di II VC</p></p></p></p></p></p>
Let the kids pick the theme

Let the kids pick the theme

<p><p><p><p><p><p>Sometimes kids have great ideas. When we started brainstorming about this look, I envisioned all red and gold and silver. But we left the store with bold neon colors and a holiday sentiment that really made a fun photo that captures her personality.</p></p></p></p></p></p> <p><p><p><p><p><p>Stacie: Tamron 18-270mm Di II VC PZD </p></p></p></p></p></p>

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What tips do you have for holiday card photos? The moms are here this month to provide some tips and inspiration for holiday card photos. Have fun getting creative with your cards and best wishes for a safe, healthy and happy holiday season! Hollie, Janet, Jeanne, Liz, Lynda, Stacie & Stephanie
Tamron Exhibits
  • Single shots are a great alternative
  • Be prepared to take lots of photos
  • Use a prop
  • Plan a color scheme
  • Make a statement
  • Create a collage
  • What tips do you have for holiday card photos?
  • Photograph the details
  • Turn on a string of lights
  • Capture the festive mood from a new perspective
  • Break from convention
  • Keep colors and background simple
  • Use the nighttime flash mode
  • Let the kids pick the theme

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Guestbook for “What tips do you have for holiday card photos?”

Name/Note Date

04/22/12

bosley

d.e. bosley, jr.

 

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