5 Tips for Capturing Memorable Family Photos for Your Holiday Cards

The holiday season will soon roll around. If you’re like most people, you’ve probably lined up a host of breathtaking destinations to explore with your dear ones. And what better way to immortalize the amazing moments spent in the comfort of your adorable kin than through memorable photos? 

Fortunately, you don’t need to be skilled at family photography to capture beautiful family pictures for your holiday cards. All you need to do is implement certain actionable steps. 

We’ve rounded up the top five tips for taking surreal family photos. Hopefully, you’ll be grateful to your lucky stars for directing you to this post before the next holiday season comes along.

Photo Credit: Pixabay.com

1. Pick a Superb Location

Location can make or break your family photo session. That’s precisely why experts recommend picking a superb spot. 

Contrary to what you may think, a magnificent location doesn’t have to be atop Mt. Everest or while swimming with dolphins in the Caribbean. It’s perfectly okay if such settings don’t exist. 

The trick is to choose a place that most (if not all) your family members find agreeable. The setting should be serene enough if you want your family photo holiday cards to look natural. 

There are plenty of ideas to explore, depending on whether you’re on a vacation or staycation. 

Some idyllic outdoor settings would be underneath a tree or on a bike trail. You could also incorporate urban elements like cityscapes and light trails. 

If you’re staycationing, consider a setting that portrays every family member actively engaged. Examples include gardening in the backyard or baking in the kitchen.  

Whichever location you prefer, ensure it’s free from distractions. 

2. Dress Appropriately

In photography, location and dress code typically go together. The two aspects must always be harmonious to give a picture the best impression. 

If you’re shooting on an ice rink, you’ll need everyone to be in long-sleeved hooded sweaters, leggings, and fleece pants. That’s regardless of whether only a few people are ice skating. 

For a beachside setting, lightweight tunics and sarongs would serve you best. And if you opt for a photo session while coming out of a religious event, you won’t go wrong with a formal outfit. 

Remember to consider the color scheme when picking the right dress code for a family holiday photo. 

Warmer colors, such as reds, oranges, and yellows, are excellent for summer weather. They help reflect the sun’s warmth and spread positive vibes. 

Whites and creams would be perfect for a beachside photo. 

If you’re shooting in the desert or at a campsite, consider muted shades of earth colors – green, gray, and brown.  

Photo Credit: Pixabay.com

3. Keep It Natural

Keeping it natural is the surest way to avoid embarrassing moments when capturing family photos for your holiday cards. 

Do not ask the participants to be in uncomfortable outfits, apply loud makeup, or assume poses they’d ordinarily object to. That’s how you ruin an otherwise gorgeous family photo. 

Instead, ensure everyone is at ease and ready for the moment. Encourage anyone who could be harboring pent-up feelings to blow off some steam before stepping onto the frame. 

Another way to keep things natural is to highlight a family tradition. Incorporate activities that you typically do together as a family. Whether it’s egg hunting, baking cookies, or meditating, ensure everyone is familiar with it. 

Prioritize activities that foster healthy and ethical behaviors, shunning those that could portray your family badly. 

Remember, a single picture can paint a thousand words.

Photo Credit: Pixabay.com

4. Highlight the Holiday Colors

Each occasion has its signature colors. When capturing family photos for holiday cards, it’s best to let the colors tell the story. 

Red is instantly recognizable for its association with Valentine’s Day. It’s an intuitive color choice for a romantic occasion, even if not Valentine’s. 

Black and orange resonate with Halloween, red and green symbolize Christmas, while gold and silver represent New Year’s Eve. 

There are many other holiday colors to consider incorporating into your family holiday photo. 

The exciting part is that you don’t have to pick specific colors for your outfits to capture the spirit of the occasion. You could opt for entirely different color schemes and only integrate elements associated with the holiday in question into your photo session. 

For instance, instead of donning a red and green outfit to celebrate Christmas, why not go for an all-white ensemble and have a Christmas tree in the background? 

5. Embrace Awkward Moments

Some of the world’s most iconic photos were captured awkwardly. So, drop your perfectionist persona and embrace the silly quirks. 

Most family pictures you’ll come across have the subjects smiling for the photo. That’s great in terms of creating visual harmony. 

However, experts recommend focusing on in-between moments that aptly capture the essence of your family. 

Why not look slightly away rather than have everyone beaming at the camera. 

In fact, everyone doesn’t have to be happy at all. It’s okay if your little bundle of joy isn’t so joyous. 

Instead of everyone standing in a line, have the family’s whimsical character walk towards the camera. 

These awkward moments bring into focus the real family dynamics. 

Photo Credit: Pixabay.com

Final Word

Taking amazing family holiday card photos doesn’t necessarily require elite photography skills. Provided you have a powerful camera or smartphone, your family pictures can be as cute and nostalgic as you desire them to be.