Believe it or not, Christmas isn’t all that far away. Although you might not have started your gift shopping yet, you may be thinking about what to do for your annual Christmas cards. Are you looking for a few fresh ideas for your family holiday photo this year? We have some suggestions for you to try, whether you’re hiring a professional photographer or depending on the help of friends and neighbors to capture the perfect photo for you. Photo cards are a great way to share a snippet of your life with those friends and family both near and far. Your picture can be taken indoors or outdoors, all dressed up or dressed down in your favorite holiday pjs, color coordinated or not, funny, serious, posed, candid, it can be whatever you want it to be, because it’s yours and no one else’s. When planning the photo shoot for your personalized cards this year, consider some of these possibilities:
The family snuggle. This is a great way to share some holiday cheer! Grab a Christmas quilt, put on your Santa hats, and snuggle under the blanket together. With just your faces peeking out, you’ll create a warm and fuzzy photo sure to bring smiles. The family pets can even get in on it!
Storybook time. Do you have a family tradition of reading The Night Before Christmas, Gift of the Magi, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, or A Christmas Carol every year? Why not capture that moment for your photo cards this year? Whether you pose on top of your child’s bed or cuddle up before a roaring fire in your favorite armchair, this scenario makes for an adorable holiday photo you’ll cherish.
Elf on a Shelf. Every year they bring a little adventure and surprise to the holiday festivities, so why not include them in your personalized cards? Maybe they’ll be a little less mischievous if their front and center in your family photo. Yeah, probably not…but it couldn’t hurt to try, right?
Matchy-matchy. The holidays are a time when you can get away with wearing the weirdest outfits, especially if the whole family is wearing the same silly thing! So break out those plaid suits, candy cane dresses, and snowman sweaters and smile for the camera!
The great outdoors. Oh, the possibilities! Think how sweet it would be to take a photo as you stroll through a Christmas tree lot, wrapped in a red blanket, or catch your child’s reaction to the first snow of the season? Take an action shot of the kids flying down a snow-covered hill atop a sled or toboggan, having a snowball fight, or building a snowman.
Jack Frost has arrived. Have someone take a photo from inside your home of the whole family standing outside with your noses pressed against a frosty windowpane or take it from behind with the Christmas tree inside the house framed in the shot.
The Clauses. Dress the family up as Santa, Mrs. Clause, and some of the elf helpers. I mean really, how cute are your kids in pointy hats and shoes? Adorable, right?
The family that crafts together. Take a photo of the family making a holiday wreath for the front door, decorating the tree, making ornaments, cutting out snowflakes to string along the mantle, or spraying faux snow on the windows.
Christmas cookies. Do you like to bake something special every year? Take a photo of the kids helping you bake cookies, making a pie, or putting together your award-winning fruitcake. Not only does it make a great photo shoot idea, but you all get to reap the rewards once the picture taking is done!
No matter what scenario you choose, here are a few tips to keep in mind to get the best possible result:
- Keep the background simple. Too much “busyness” will distract from the point of the photo – you!
- Have the light facing you. If you’re looking at a light source, your eyes and face will be illuminated, giving you the holiday sparkle you want.
- Keep hair, makeup, and accessories, natural. You want to look like yourself and let your personality shine through.
- Relax, and laugh if possible. The happier you look, the better you’ll like the photo. Unless, of course, you’re planning to do a “goofy” pose, then yuk it up and go crazy!
- Try walking or moving for a more natural, less posed look.
If you’re really happy with the end result, you don’t have to limit your holiday photo to greeting cards; choose a photo gift like a mug, canvas portrait, yearly calendar, locket, or a puzzle and enjoy sharing these unique gifts with your friends and family members. Shop now and save 50% on all our fantastic photo gift options!
