The holidays will probably look different this year. But that doesn’t mean you can’t still keep your holiday card tradition! We’ve pulled a few great tips from Good Housekeeping to help you DIY your family photos this season.
Location Is Key
Decide on where you want to take photos first. This will affect things like clothing color schemes, if props are appropriate, and more. Some great location options at no cost are your own backyard, front stoop, or a local park.
What to Wear
You will want to coordinate your outfits, but don’t be too matchy-matchy. Pick a color and have everyone wear an item in that color. One person has a red shirt, another has a red tie, and maybe someone has red pants. If you have kids and love the bold holiday theme outfits, dress the kids in those and have parents dress in complementary colors like cream, grey, or navy. This is also a great time to pull out Santa hats or other props. Let your outfits show your personalities.
Keep Height In Mind
When posing, keep everyone’s height in mind. If you have small children, pick them up or sit down. Use props like stools and chairs to bring everyone closer together. Try to limit big gaps in height.
Add Some Variety
Everyone say “Cheese!” But also, don’t. Take a few photos looking at the camera and a few looking at each other. When looking at each other or laughing, everyone relaxes and you will get more playful and cheerful photos versus robotic camera smiles.
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Lighting the Subject
If your location is indoors, choose a room with great natural light and set up so that the light will be in front of you. If you want to incorporate a Christmas tree, angle toward the tree so that the light is in front or angled just to the side. If you are outside, don’t take photos in the middle of the day when the sun is at its highest. Opt for the “golden hour” before sunset. This will eliminate harsh shadows.
Don’t stress too much about getting the most perfect photos. Sometimes, the best ones are full of laughs and activity. Keep these tips in mind and your DIY family holiday photos will be a snap!
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