Ah the Holiday Photo Cards.
As much as we love getting to see how the children (and pets) of our friends, relatives, and co-workers grow up over the years, always in their Sunday finest, doing amazing feats and traveling to far-off lands, the pressure to hit just the right note with both the card and the photo is intimidating at best. You can spend a small fortune on the perfect cards, and literally lose your mind trying to capture the perfect photo.
Are you a cards first, photo later person? Cuz that’s just crazy. The cards can be found anywhere.
The photo on the other hand? The tales we could all tell. Cajoling, wheedling, begging, whining, threatening, and that’s just with the newborn. Don’t even try to pretend like you don’t view every family photo from June through Thanksgiving as a potential Holiday Card Winner. I am sure there are people who plan entire summer vacations with the Holiday Card Photo in mind. How else would their card look so perfect?
Which all defeats the purpose of the exercise, which is to send well-wishes and holiday cheer to those you love, along with those you haven’t seen in 15 years but you both keep each other on your lists.
It really should be the thought that counts. But we know you, that photo is worrying you sick ’cause it’s already November. That’s why we reached out to a couple of Charlotte photographers for their tips on getting the best photos possible. Here are their suggestions:
Jamie Shook, Vintage Daisy Photography
1. Choose an image that does not is not overly “busy” so the family or children are the focus for the card. Images with a lot of surrounding or background noise can be distracting from the focus of the image. It can take the eye away from you and the family! One way to accomplish this is to zoom in a little more if needed or crop the image up a little bit.
2. Choose wardrobe colors that complement the environment you will be photographing in. This is a tip I always suggest any time of year and for any photoshoot actually, and it continues to ring true for holiday cards. Wardrobe plays a very big part in what your finished product will look like. It doesn’t mean you have to spend a lot of money finding outfits either it just means to coordinate them so they work together. If photographing outdoors in the late fall/early winter months, choose colors that provide a small pop of color since oftentimes in December the leaves have fallen already and things are beginning to look a little dead and brown. Rather than having everyone match, try to coordinate various colors that work together. Avoid having competing patterns if more than one person will be in the photo. This creates a busy look that is distracting and pulls the eye from the subject who should be the focus.
3. What do you want your cards to say? Choose photos that match that message. Are you a fun easy going family that likes to laugh a lot? Then choose a photo that shows that. Are you more serious and moody in nature? Then choose accordingly. Some of the best holiday cards are the ones that have photos that represent the children or family well. Especially for family and friends who may not have seen you for a while, show them a little slice into your life through your images!
Laura Tompkins, Laurel Belle Photography
1) Don’t forget the older kids. Many families taper off their holiday photos as their children get older, but tweens & teens LOVE nothing more than a photo session all to themselves. This year consider gifting your tween/teen a confidence boosting portrait session. The grandparents will love seeing non-school images of their teen showing off her personality & your teen will love being the star of this year’s Holiday card.
2) Many times younger kids will be on their best behavior when their parents aren’t standing behind the photographer giving them instruction. At your holiday photo session this year, put a bit of distance between yourself and your kids and let your photographer bring out their personality by asking them questions and getting to know them.
3) Are you a family of 2 or a family with a fur baby? That doesn’t mean you should shy away from sending a holiday card this year. Been married for 10 years or newly engaged? Update your images & send out some fun holiday cards of you and your husband this year. “Family Christmas Cards” don’t just mean families with children & are just as special as those from families with kids.
4) Let your kids dress themselves for your holiday photos. I know that might be a scary thought, but kids have some serious fashion sense these days and will often put together outfits and color combos you would never dream of. Not to mention, your child will be more comfortable and at ease in something he/she feels good in instead of something he/she was put into kicking and screaming.
