Having done many family photo shoots we’ve become pros at mastering a disconjointed, uncooperative, chaotic portrait. Here are the shots that definitely didn’t make the cut.
Let’s face it, trying to get 5 people to hit that perfect pose is next to impossible.
Here’s what I’ve learned about getting a Holiday Photo worthy shot.
Here’s what I’ve learned about getting a Holiday Photo worthy shot.
1. Shop around for a great photographer. Look at their portfolio to see if your tastes and styles are a good fit. You’ll be able to get a good read on them through a an interview.
2. Pick outfits that have personality. Gone are the days of white shirts and jeans. While some photographers still prefer 1-2 colors on everyone don’t be afraid to wear things that fit the personality of your family. Do try and stay away from prints though…especially stripes. They can play funny tricks on the eye and add unwanted weight to your figure.
3. Stay calm, cool and collected the day of the shoot. This is a day to pick your battles. You don’t want to show up with mad kids who refuse to cooperate and smile. Keep it light-hearted and remember…this is supposed to be fun.
4. Let the photographer do their job. The best thing a photographer can do is take the reins and let you just smile for the camera. I tend to go in to drill sergeant mode and stress about everyone looking perfect. A great photographer stopped me in my tracks right away and said, “no, no…this is supposed to be fun.” (in a very sweet way…thanks Michelle). With her sweet disposition my boys were putty in her hands.
5. Don’t starve yourself the day of the shoot. Your coloring will be off and your face will look gaunt. Stay away from foods and drinks that will stain little lips and cheeks such as Koolaid, suckers, etc.
6. Don’t stress. Hard to do when you’re paying a small fortune on the photos and outfits but you just have to be relaxed and let everything run it’s course. The more stressed you are, everyone around you will feed off that energy. Plus, with digital photography and Photoshop heads can be swapped, smiles can be fixed, tummies can be tucked all with the click of a mouse.
Despite our exasperated efforts we did get a really great photo which I’ll share during the holidays.
Big thanks to Emily Loveland for photographing us.
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Loved that you shared the outtakes from your holiday pics!! We took ours last weekend and our little guy was FUSSY! I we have a few good ones for our holiday cards
lol – I can’t wait to get them back 
So cute! These pictures came out great! Happy Holidays!
These outtakes are so good! =)
Great tips.
xo,
nancy
http://adoretoadorn.blogspot.com
I always like looking at outtakes. They are so cute and funny. Well at the time they aren’t! I can’t wait to get my crew together to take ours!
These are great tips!
great tips, thanks! your pics and commentary are great!
LOL. You are hilarious. They all look great. Can’t wait to see the Best shot. Although you could make your post your Christmas Card and everyone would love it!!
hahaha! love the comments on each pic…
So glad my kids aren’t the only ones who refuse to hold still, pose, smile, all those things I imagine they’re going to do perfectly in my head. Your boys look awesome! Their personalities shining through is way better than those plastered on grins…adorable pics!
Well I know you said you got a better one, but I would love to get any one of these in the mail! They’re so fun and real and I think that’s fabulous. You look beautiful too by the way!
so funny. However, I think you should use all of them. They are so true to life!
That was our family this past Sunday. I tweeted out immediately, “taking pictures with a 2 1/2 year old…well, it sucks!” He refused to look at the calendar and our 6 year old daughter, with self cut bangs, was in a “mood”. Ugh…
This just made me laugh so hard!!! Thanks for the tips – we’re doing a kid family shoot in a couple of weeks and i NEED to remember to stay calm and not sweat it if we can’t get everyone to smile at the same time! Again thanks for the laugh – so great!
I giggled through the entire presentation – this was adorable!
Such a beautiful setting for photos!
Hope you will share the final choice with everyone.
what a lovely post
http://bubblemylicorice.blogspot.com/
Hilarious!! What a great idea for a family pic.
Your family pics are so cute. I love that your oldest boy is cooperating so well in all of them! I have to bribe my kids (and husband) to cooperate. And I spend the majority of the time barking at everyone to “smile and look happy. We are a family and we love each other!”
Omg, that was really fun and sweet. Love the bubble talks in here and your little one is so adorable. Got my eye on your next posts.
Funny as! Thanks for keeping it real, I cannot imagine having a family photo for five taken without a few ‘mishaps’
LOVE IT! Honestly, the captions on each photo are laugh-out-loud funny! Beautiful family.
Susan A. in Illinois
Love these! Looks like the kind of family shots we get
Thanks for sharing the outtakes!