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So, you’ve decided that it’s the perfect time of year to take some nice family photos. Maybe it’s for the holidays, or maybe it’s for a good memory to look back on. Either way you should prepare yourself. Taking family photos can be like wrangling multiple cats, whether you're at a professional studio or trying to do them yourself at home. Having to stay still can lead to meltdowns, which are never fun for anyone. Here are some tips for keeping things running smoothly while taking family holiday photos with kids:
First things first, timing. Try to schedule photos so that they don’t happen when your kids would normally be napping. Everyone will be much happier if they’ve gotten plenty of sleep. If you can, try doing it after eating as well. The last thing anyone wants to do is try to make a hangry kid sit still! Plus, if you eat before you change into your outfits, you don’t have to worry about spilling anything on them afterwards.
Second, let your kids be kids! They might not want to just sit down and pose. It's hard for kids to sit still. They’ll get distracted, but sometimes that makes for an even cuter photo!
if you let them get some energy out of their system, they’ll usually be more inclined to sit still when you want to take photos with everyone.
Set everything up beforehand. I know this seems obvious, but I have made this mistake before, and it did not end well. Once you set everything up, try to check over it again. Sometimes you miss things, and it’ll save you a headache down the line. This includes outfits (and any ironing they might need), any accessories you want, props, animals, etc. Even if you forget something in the chaos, if everything else is in place, then it’s all that much easier.
If you have an extra outfit ready for family photos, with any luck, you won’t need it. This may seem like overkill, but once again I've been burnt by this mistake. Even if you’re pretty sure you won’t need them, it never hurts to have a little peace of mind. Some wet wipes and a small hairbrush are also a good item to bring to photo shoots that aren't at home!
Fifth, lots of pictures is key. It might seem like overkill, but if you’re anything like me, you might end up scrutinizing every single pixel of an image. It’s not a great habit to have, but the best way to solve it is to have lots of options. Maybe someone blinked, maybe someone wasn’t quite in focus, but if you take tons of pictures, you’ll find one you’ll love. And who knows, maybe your kid might make a funny face that you can giggle at for years to come!
Finally, just remember that it’s all going to be fine in the end. It’s not something worth fighting a war over with your kids. Family holiday photos don't need to be perfect to make a great memory. Plus, kids pick up on how stressed you are, and it’ll make them more stressed out in turn. It’s okay to worry about it, but it’s not worth losing sleep over. Eventually, it’ll just be a memory to look back on. The best thing you can do is make it a good memory.
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By the way, if you need adorable props for your next family holiday photo, The Plaid Giraffe can help! Find all sorts of toys and photo props at https://plaidgiraffechildrensboutique.com/collections/toys
