Christmas photo tips

Hope your holiday shopping is "wrapping up" and you're getting settled in for a weekend of family, friends and unforgettable memories!  Just wanted to take a few minutes to give you some quick holiday photo tips and ideas.

Take photos in similar locations each year.  Looking through some heritage photos, I realized just how many family photos were taken in front of Christmas trees over the years.  Imagine a themed page or album titled "O Christmas Tree."  Other ideas might be photos each year with Santa, or photos with the cousins all in front of the fireplace.   Maybe start your own tradition or look for common themes in your current holiday photos and continue them this year!

Mom's family in front of the tree 1955:

Dad in front of the tree 1967:

Our family in front of the tree 1971:

One week old, in front of the tree 1992:

Coordinate your family's outfits. It sounds almost "silly" but a great idea for getting good photos of your kids together at Christmas is to dress them in clothes that match.  The photo of my son and nephew below is visually pleasing since their shirts match! Imagine the same photo with one wearing light green and the other wearing bright purple and yellow...not nearly the same effect as when they coordinate.

For portrait type shots, get in closer.  Although you defnitely want to capture the action, decor and sights of the holiday gathering, take a few portrait type photos of groups or individuals.  For those friends and family you don't see often, these photos become treasured keepsakes as well as great photos to use for non-holiday layouts.  Since typically everyone is in a festive mood, it's also a great opportunity to capture personalities.  The photos below are all ones taken at family holiday gatherings---just remember to get in CLOSE!  :-)