While most parents are pretty good at snapping candid shots of kids on vacation, at family functions, or even during the course of everyday life, the pictures they most often hang on the wall are those taken by professionals. And while an educated and experienced photographer definitely brings a lot to the table when it comes to capturing those magic moments when the whole family is smiling and no one is blinking, there are a few things parents need to do to prepare for the perfect shots. You should take kids for haircuts and get them nicely groomed for the day of your photo session. You’ll want to make sure they’re rested and fed so they don’t get too fidgety or fussy. And you have to select the outfits that your children will wear. On this last note, there are a few things you should keep in mind to make sure your holiday photos look fantastic.
The first thing to consider is whether you want to go with something formal or outfits that are a bit more casual. Of course you want your kids to be comfortable, but you probably don’t engage the services of a professional photographer very often, and since these pictures will likely be sent out with holiday cards to family and friends that you see only rarely, it’s not surprising that you would want the kids to look their best. The trick is to strike a balance. Sure, fancy dresses and suits look great, but if your kids can’t sit still because they’re so uncomfortable in them, you’re going to have a hard time getting a good photo. Instead, consider going with a casual-dressy vibe. Children will look nice without necessarily having to don formal wear and they’re bound to be a lot more comfortable for the duration of the photo shoot.
Next you need to think about how much you want to match and whether or not you want to go with a holiday theme. Awkward family photos with matching reindeer sweaters have become the stuff of internet memes galore, so unless you’re going for something kitschy and ironic, perhaps you should leave the holiday sweaters at home during your photo shoot. You may also want to avoid forcing everyone to wear the same shirt. It’s not a terrible idea to select a color theme, which tends to make the photo look more unified and helps viewers focus on the faces of your family rather than their clashing ensembles. But whether your theme is classic white for tops or you go with a holiday color instead, just make sure that outfits aren’t too matchy-matchy.
You should also let your kids’ personalities shine through, but in ways that don’t the photo. So when you help them select their outfits, think about choosing a color or theme of some sort, but then let each child select his or her hairstyle, an accessory, or something that makes them feel comfortable, special, and attractive. This will ensure that they are feeling good as well as looking good for your family photos. From there, a professional at Amy Tripple Photography or another local studio can do a lot to give you the holiday photos that you’ll be proud to send to your loved ones.
Pegs Clay Ground