Taking a Christmas photo of kids

By: kelly

TAGS: Christmas children tips

It’s time to think about your annual Christmas photograph – that photo you can look back on, and say, “Look how much the kids have grown!”

After getting everyone in their Sunday-best, it can be quite a task to keep everyone clean and then to stand still for a picture!

I’ve learned (the very hard way) that the best photographs of my kids happen when we are all relaxed, interacting and having fun together. Below are some tricks and tips I use to get genuine smiles from my children that reflect their personality.

1. Be prepared to take a lot of photos around Christmas

One of the advantages of living in the digital age is the freedom to take many Christmas pictures, relatively cost-free. Now, when I say, a lot of photos, think at least 50. You’re sure to get at least one good pose, especially if you try the tips below.

2. Give them something to think about

“Say cheese” may give you a smile, but it won’t necessarily reflect a child’s personality. I give my children something to think about and have the camera ready to snap as they react and respond.

For example:

• Christmas presents
• “Are you excited about putting up the Christmas tree?”
• A big red truck
• Cake!
• “You’re beautiful.”
• “I love you.”
  
  
  

  3. Give them something to do

  
  
  Asking my children, to “just stand still” doesn’t work very well and is not very interesting. I give them something to do when taking Christmas photos, and have the camera ready to capture how they interpret my instructions. Below are some examples:
  
  

• “Dance.”
• “Sing!”
• “Look at each other.”
• “Do star jumps.”
  

  Another idea is to photograph kids doing an activity. For example:

  
  

• Decorating Christmas cookies
• Decorating the Christmas tree
• Throwing cotton wool balls to look like fake snow
• Wrapping or unwrapping Christmas presents
• Writing the word “Xmas” or “Christmas” in the sand at the beach
  
  

  4. Give them something to look at

  
  

  My favourite Christmas photos are of my children laughing at their Dad, who stands just behind me doing I-do-not-want-to-know-what silly things. When I ask them to look at something specific, they are usually all looking in the same direction, at the same time. Try:

  
  

• Doing a dance or a pulling a funny face
• Asking a question, like “What is inside the camera lens?”
• Ringing a bell held just above the photographer’s head
  
  
  

  5. Give them something Christmas-related to hold

  
  
  

  To give the annual photograph a themed Christmas look, there are a variety of ways to incorporate Christmas crafts made by children. Not only will this give the children something to do, it looks festive, fun and fabulous.

You may like to wrap large empty boxes in Christmas paper and stack them for a backdrop, set your Christmas tree up early or put up a backdrop of fairy lights. Below are ideas of what children can hold (or wear) for the photograph:

• Christmas decorations
• Mini Christmas trees
• Wrapped Christmas presents (or wrapped empty boxes)
• Santa hats
• A sign that says “Merry Christmas”
  
  
  

  6. Expecting mum, newborn or baby

  
  

  It’s never too early to start your family Christmas photo tradition. A baby wearing angel wings or a bow tied around their stomach always looks gorgeous. For the pregnant mum, the bow can be tied around the expecting belly.

  
  

  Once you capture a wonderful picture of your children, you can use it in your Christmas preparations. Here are some examples:

• A personalised photo
• Christmas cards
• A personalised snow globe, mug, key ring, apron, etc.
• A framed photo for a loved one
• A photo magnet to include with your annual Christmas letter
• Personalised lettering paper or Christmas baubles

Do you have any tips for taking photographs of kids? Add them in the comments below.

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