7 Tips To Help You Take Better Family Photos During The Holidays

Make your family sessions more successful and meaningful this holiday season

We are right in the middle of the holiday season in Northern Virginia. If you want to take the perfect family photos this holiday, it's best to be prepared. The holidays are usually one of the best times of the year to get family pictures, because many families gather to spend time with each other.  Although this is easier said than done.  As many people have cameras, everyone is not a fan of being in front of the camera.  Let’s talk about tips to help your family holiday photos go smoothly. 

The holidays with your family in Northern Virginia can be hectic.  As mentioned earlier, everyone will not like being in front of the camera, kids just want to play, and often someone in the family will have very high expectations. These factors can all make family photo time a less than pleasurable experience, especially if the photo is blurry.
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Here are some top tips to ensure everyone has a good time and you get the photos you are hoping to achieve with your family this holiday season.

1.  Make It Fun
Everyone loves to have fun, right?  When hiring a professional family photographer is something your family forgoes, someone in the family is designated as the unofficial photographer.  The moment family members realize the photo shoot won’t be as serious, more family members are willing to participate. Make the day about having fun and spending time together, not capturing the perfect picture of the family. Plus, photos are easy to fit into the day if you approach it correctly. Does the family always drink cocoa around the tree? Or come together to get make cookies?  Get everyone to pose for a quick group shot before you sit down. Better yet, capture a candid shot of everyone sitting around the tree instead or with flour on their hands or face.
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2.  Respect People’s Wishes
Sometimes, people just don’t want their photo taken. It’s important to respect this if you want to maintain peace during the holiday season. If it’s your children who don’t want their photos taken, respecting their wishes will help gain their trust, making it easier to ask for photos later in the day or on another day. 
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3.  Choose Your Location Wisely
Your family should feel comfortable while taking photos, so choose your location wisely. If you’re hiring a professional photographer in the Northern Virginia area, they will give you a list of location possibilities.  If you won’t be taking photos at home, choose a location that will allow everyone to stay engaged and relaxed. Consider the lighting when choosing a location for your family session as this can make a big difference to the end result.

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4.  Prep Your Family
Not everyone in your family has necessarily been involved in a shoot before, so it helps to prepare them.  You’ll want to discuss clothing colors and whether you will dress formally or be casual. You will, once again, need to find that balance between keeping it light-hearted and ensuring they know what to expect. Tell them more about the activities you have planned and what they should and shouldn’t wear. Your outfits don’t need to match but they should ideally be coordinated. Knowing a bit about what to expect can help participants feel more relaxed. 
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5.  Let Everyone Be Themselves
Your family pictures should highlight everyone’s unique personalities. Remember, you are not working with models, so temper your expectations. Allowing everyone to be themselves results in genuine shots.  Remember, they everyone will be themselves; just embrace it.
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6.  Get Them Involved
One way to get family members excited about a photo session is to get them involved in the creative process. Let them have a say in where you take photos and what you should wear. When the shoot becomes a group effort, it feels less forced.
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7.  Include Everyone
Nobody wants to feel left out (even if they say the hate having their picture taken), so you may want to plan your photo session out in advance. Taking a shot of grandma and all the grandchildren? Don’t forget to take the same type of picture with grandpa. It’s especially important that all children feel like they were equally included to avoid issues after the session.
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Conclusion
The above tips can be used regardless of whether you are hiring a professional family photographer in Northern Virginia or using your smartphone camera to photograph some photos. There are very few times in the year when most family members are in the same place, so take advantage.  

​If you are wanting to have everyone included in the family picture, contact Tamieka Smith a family photographer located in Woodbridge, VA but serves the entire Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia area.  I may be reached by telephone at (571) 250-5073 or email at [email protected].
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Contact Tamieka