Capturing that infamous HOLIDAY family photo- parents you can do it!

Capturing that infamous HOLIDAY family photo- parents you can do it!

For most of us parents, every month seems jammed-packed with schedules to keep, dinners to make and lots of laundry, but December is an entirely different beast. In addition to all that other “fun” stuff, December is crammed with holidays and a very palpable pressure to create lasting memories that you and your kids will cherish for years to come. Translation: it's time to get out the big guns and dress up your kids in their matching Sunday best for that all-important family portrait.

This annual holiday family portrait is your touchstone – your way of freezing that single moment in time of your son tugging on his itty bitty bow tie, and your daughter is fussing with the bejeweled barrette in her hair. And it is these precise “magical moments” that you will share with long-distant relatives and friends to keep them abreast of just how much your little ones have grown over the past year.

While there are many reliable walk-in photo places that will happily snap your family portrait and even have it ready the very same day, if you're in the market for that undeniably unique portrait that will deliver the wow factor but also capture the essence of your kids' personalities in this brief moment in their lives – keep reading for more information!

And if you've decided to get behind the camera yourself or maybe even hand it over to your kids and let them document the festivities from their vantage point, I've got some great tips for you as well.Capturing that infamous HOLIDAY family photo- parents you can do it!

CHOOSING A PHOTOGRAPHER

– Find a children's photographer that will give you ample time and won't rush through the process. If your appointment isn't at least a half an hour, it's too short. The key to working with young children is getting them to feel comfortable and trusting; photographers can't be brisk with them or it will just put them off, like it would any adult.

– Make sure all the prices for packages and cards are published and available before the sitting. Be prepared with a list of the items you want to purchase for yourself and gifts for relatives. If you have a spot on your wall waiting for a portrait, make sure you know the size of the area available. This will guide you and the photographer through the ordering process.

– Make sure the studio will save your files or negatives, so you can reorder in the future.

If you are one of those brave parents willing to risk life and limb and single-handedly capture the perfect family photo, then you might be interested in this Web site which offers a tip guide for parents who attempt “do it yourself” family pictures.

Best camera to use

A digital camera that has an image stabilization lens, a built-in feature that helps you keep the picture still and in-focus. The beauty of a digital camera is that you can keep all the pictures – bad and good – but be sure you've got plenty of batteries and memory cards.

Best time of day to take pictures outdoors

Early morning or late afternoon. On cloudy days the colors look prettiest and offer a very soft light. The magic hour is right around sunset.

Best clothing to wear

White clothes and crazy patterns don't photograph well so try to stick with solid colors.

Best way to make the experience as painless as possible for antsy kids

After you've taken your family portrait, hand the camera over to your children and let them take pictures. Kids have a knack for capturing spontaneous, candid moments that aren't posed and will truly capture the spirit of what it means to have your family together for the holidays.

Huddle around the computer and review everyone's photos as a family event. Have fun with your digital pictures and make them into greeting cards, posters, and even stickers.

And once you get that perfect shot and you finally feel content in your Capturing that infamous HOLIDAY family photo… Forget the Cloud And Save Your Memories in a Printique Photo Album

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