Tips On How To Plan Family Holiday Photos

It’s that time of year when many families are looking to plan out their family photos for holiday cards. Today, I am sharing some of the tips that I use for my family that may be helpful to you.

Plan Ahead

Try not to wait until the last minute to plan your photos. I always recommend getting photos done before the chaos of the holidays if at all possible. October is a good time but with most families, November and December seem to be a better time to get schedules lined up and everyone together for photos.

Photo Setting

Once you have an idea of when you would like to shoot the WHERE is another important thing to consider. What sort of theme/look are you going for? Outdoors, indoors, funny, classic etc? Having a photo location in mind can help with planning out what to wear.

For our family photos, this year, I wanted to do outdoors and with trees.

Limit Patterns

When planning outfits, stay away from bold patterns. They can really throw off a photo and be distracting. Stick to solid colors or very subtle patterns. They tend to be more classic and timeless. Sometimes strong patterns can draw the eye away from the people in the image.

Add Texture

A tip I like to give when shooting with a group of people is to add texture! Solids can tend to be a tad blah but when you add clothing like a furry vest, a textured dress, layers, and a scarf, it all adds interest and depth. Helping to make the photo pop.

Full Bellies

Cranky kids are never fun, neither are cranky adults. Be sure everyone has eaten and is hydrated before the shoot. Also, be sure to use the restroom before the photographer arrives. You have limited time with a photographer and you want to make sure every minute is used wisely.

Extra Treats

Added incentives for children are a great way to get them to cooperate during the shoot. Little toys or a candy treat should be helpful in getting them to smile and listen to the photographer’s instruction.

Hope this helps you plan your own family photos shoot.

XO,