Natural Child Photo Tips #6

Taking your Holiday picture

The Holiday Card. The time of year we can prove to our families, with one picture, that we are extremely happy… excellent parents, totally put together… and our children are precious and brilliant and clean and love each other immensely.

No pressure there.

Posed pictures certainly have their special place and can be wonderful. The trick is to let go when things don’t go according to plan.

I’ve yelled at my own kids while taking their pictures because I felt they were giving me cheesy smiles. Yelled at them!!! I knew what I wanted in my head, and I felt entitled to get it no matter what. Oops. (I later explained the term “temporary insanity,” so at least it was educational.)

We are especially vulnerable to these outbreaks when shooting a holiday photo. Anytime we have big expectations, we set ourselves up for frustration.

To begin with, don’t dress them in clothes or a hairstyle they feel uncomfortable in – it will show. Halfway through, do a few shots where they get to be as silly as they can be. Then say “Okay! Now a few sweet smiles! Now say kangaroo!” It’s now a game, not a chore. And most importantly, you must be FAST.

Give yourself 15 shots max and then set them free. Or let them take a play break. Think of goofy things to say ahead of time. Bring in reinforcements – a silly family member or friend. Anything to make it fun for them. Remind them that you usually don’t ask them to sit and smile, but this is a little different and it will be something everyone will get great joy from.

Maybe your holiday card ends up being an action shot, with them doing whatever they love to do best and you blow all the relatives away with how artistic it is! Maybe you have three separate sessions in your own yard, so you don’t feel pressure to get it right the first time. You never know.

If you feel you must bribe them with candy or money or cars, make it clear they get the payment many hours later (like after dinner). I have seen bribery backfire with parents, because the kids end the session prematurely, they were so excited about getting their reward – now!

Always have a clear vision – but be willing to toss it away at a moment’s notice, to see what fabulousness might take its place.

Holiday Specials

MINI HOLIDAY-CARD SHOOT: 25-30 minute photo session at your home. Either kids or family. You receive a disc with three fully retouched shots of your choosing. Price: $150. Must shoot by December 5.

PHOTO SHOOT SPECIAL: $35 off a regular shoot and one free slide show, with purchase of a Master Disc. Must shoot by Dec. 15

I am getting booked up fast, so call now!

Warm holiday wishes,

Kelly

To unsubscribe, just email back with "unsubscribe" as the subject.

Copyright 2008 Kelly Radinsky