It's that time of year when we all get crazy about having the perfect family photo for our holiday cards. We decided to ask one local photographer what he thinks we should be focused on as we pick a photographer, select our outfits and try to get through the whole ordeal! You'll want to read these insider tips:
- Ease up on the kids! Numero uno for a reason. More pictures are missed because mom and/or dad are looking down at the kids or getting onto them. Of course make sure they are behaving but they already aren’t having fun. So getting on to them or making them even more uncomfortable isn’t going to help.
- 2. Be comfortable. Don’t be afraid to be you. Sitting, standing, whatever. The photographer will move or reposition you if they need to. But if it feels uncomfortable it will probably look uncomfortable, too.
- A theme is more important than being matchy matchy. Don’t have everyone in the same thing. You’d be better off mixing and matching, but keeping an overall theme to the clothes.
- Time is imperative. Generally, photographers will want to shoot late in the day, schedule permitting. There’s a reason for that. The sunlight is much warmer and more flattering so don’t be late! Photographers are pretty incredible but even they can’t bring back the sun.
- Communicate. Make sure you and your photographer have discussed what you want the pictures to look like. This is especially true for newer photographers. If he/she hasn’t quite developed their own look or style, it is extremely helpful to send them a few pictures you’ve come across that you really like, or don’t like for that matter. Not as something for them to copy but to make sure everyone is on the same page.
- Bonus! Not all photographers can shoot anything. Believe it or not the more photographers hone their craft, the more they learn where they excel and where their shortcomings are. Not all wedding photographers can shoot great maternity pics. Not all family photographers can shoot sports. Each area is unique. So make sure your photographer is comfortable shooting whatever it is you’re looking for if that isn’t their primary genre.
Brian Sumner is a graduate of the University of Florida School of Fine Arts and specializes in wedding, family and sports photography in Lake and Sumter counties. You can find his portfolio online at www.onesilentframe.com.
