10 Ways to Get Great Christmas Photos of Your Kids at Home, By Yourself, On the Cheap
Tis the season
Christmas is literally right around the corner now. Whew, that came up fast! I bet there are a lot of moms out there who meant to get Christmas photos done in time but time just got away and now no one has any openings. Well, have no fear because even though you may not be able to get in to a professional so you can get your Holiday pictures done in time but there is hope to get your own great pictures of your kids, at home.
Here are a few good tips to help you DIY at home.
Make sure the kiddos are not hungry or tired. I know that may seem like a no-brainer but, honestly, many moms just try to take their own pictures when they have a few minutes to spare between work, cooking, wiping noses and laundry. Well, those times might not be when the kids are going to be the most cooperative. Things always go better when children, especially the younger ones, are well fed and have had a nap.
Don’t be afraid to be silly. Sing silly songs. Make faces. Jump up and down. Pretend to fall down (a-la-slapstick). Anything that will get their attention so they are looking right at you (the camera) in anticipation of what you will do next. Plus, it usually gets them smiling or laughing.
Forget the stress of trying to get them to look right at the camera. Honestly, they don’t need to! Just let them be themselves. Sit them on the floor in front of a Christmas tree or pile of presents with a cookie, favorite toy, candy cane, present or Christmas book and just let them do what they do. Every now and then you could try asking what they are doing and you might just get a “looking at the camera shot”, too.
Wrap up an empty box like a present and sit them inside of it. You can put the matching wrapped lid to the side, propped up or even on top of them so they lift it up.
Get a red cloth and tape it to a wall behind a couch or chair where your child is sitting and have him hold hold a Christmas book.
Sit them in an uncluttered area and loosely wrap them in Christmas lights (don’t have to be plugged in) and pile the rest in between their legs and let them play around with the strands.
Bake cookies shaped like Snowmen or Santa and decorate. Bite or cut the head off a cookie. Have your child lay on the ground. Add a Santa hat or black Winter cap and maybe a scarf for extra cuteness. Then, hold the cookie between your camera or phone and the kiddo, lining it up so your child’s head replaces the one that was on the cookie. Fill the frame as much as possible for best effect. You can also crop, later, if you need to.
Give your (older kids, 4+) a pile of Christmas ornaments and decoration and let them put them on the tree and snap away as they do.
Grab an envelope and have your child write Dear Santa on it (if your child can’t do that, then you can do it in a manner that it looks like a child did it). Have them put on their cutest Christmas pajamas and lay down holding the letter and pretend they are asleep.
Wrap your kids up like presents, leaving their heads out, of course, and stick a bow on the top of their heads.
Hopefully this helps give you some ways to get really adorable Christmas pictures of your kids at home. I would love to see what you come up with so be sure to tag me on Instagram @TSGallantPhotography and if you would like some help, click HERE to start the booking process.
