Issue 6

            If you’re like a lot of people, December sneaked up on you and you still haven’t taken that family photo to send with your Christmas cards.  It’s not too late to take a terrific photo and get them reproduced in time to send, you just need to remember a few things.

            Decide who will be taking the photo.  You can hire a professional, ask a friend or family member (who won’t be in the photo), or do it yourself with the timer function that most cameras have.

            Next, be sure to set the stage.  Decide on the location, whether indoors or out.  Outdoor scenic areas can make for a nice change of pace if you usually do the “living room with the tree” shot.  If you choose an indoor site, make sure the background is suitable, without too much clutter or extraneous items.

            If you have many family members to include, determine whether you will do one large group shot, or individual shots.  Sometimes it’s hard to get everyone in a group shot to look good, with people blinking or pets not looking at the camera; individual shots can eliminate that problem.

            Next, make sure your subjects’ clothing is coordinated (not necessarily matching.)  Reds, greens, and blues show up well, and earth tones are especially nice in outdoor photos.  White can be acceptable, but can make subjects look larger, so keep in mind if this is a concern.  Above all, you don’t want your subjects wearing crazy prints or patterns, which are distracting in a photo.

            Now you need to plan for the best lighting.  You will want the light source behind the photographer, so if you are outdoors, this requires the most planning.  Midday bright sunlight can be extremely harsh, as well as make the subjects squint.  Try to use morning or late afternoon sunlight, which gives a softer golden glow.  If shooting indoors, turn on as many lights in the house as possible and use a flash, if necessary.  You may also experiment by turning off your flash and using light from a nearby window or the glow of Christmas lights, which can make a magical scene.  In low light situations, you’ll need to use a tripod and have your subjects stay as still as possible.  To avoid red eye, use the special setting on your camera which gives off a pre-flash, or have your subjects look slightly away from the camera.

            Instead of shots that look too posed and using “cheese” to make children smile (which only results in a “cheesy” fake smile), keep your subjects relaxed and try to make kids laugh.  It is often difficult to keep smaller children posed, and teenagers may be too cool to pose, so consider action shots instead.  Older kids can show off their personality in shots demonstrating sports or hobbies.  Little ones can play with a teddy bear or favorite toy, or have some task to keep them occupied like ringing a bell or hanging an ornament on the tree.  All kids love their pets, so interacting with those other members of the family can make for priceless photos.  Another tip to help with photographing young children or pets is to have a treat ready to reward them after the session.  Whether taking posed or action shots, look for those candid moments when your subjects don’t think you are photographing; these can make for the best photos.  The key to capturing a great family photo is quantity.  You may need to take 50 or more photos to get just the right shot, which is easier to do now in the digital age.

            Once you pick your favorite photo or photos, there are several options for cards.  Many online sites (such as Kodak, Snapfish, Shutterfly) and photo processors (Sam’s, Wal-Mart, Walgreens) have various card designs and sizes that let you include one or more photos and personalize with your message, and most come with envelopes.  You can also get 4x6 or wallet size prints to include in cards you already have.

            As you can see, with a little knowledge and preparation, it’s possible to send a memorable family Christmas card this year; and it’s not too late!  If you still need photos of your family, children, or pets, please contact me at 286-0692.