Top 10 Tips for a Successful Holiday Family Photo Shoot
About Tracy
My name is Tracy Morrison and I live in sunny Minnesota. I'm neither British nor a nun - I'm just a Midwesterner with a headache. This is mainly a humor and lifestyle blog that documents the lighter side of parenting. I am an ex-corporate ladder climber turned freelance writer, social media manager, and fashion expert - and ruler of my own little universe(very small). Aren't we all. I would love for you to contact me at tracy@sellabitmum.com- View all posts by Tracy →
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Melanie H.:
October 17th, 2011 at 9:38 pm
I think that about captures it perfectly, although I really think you should have waited until it was really cold in the woods with the bears.
I still have a feeling you captured a great shot (or 10) of your girls!
We did ours last week (hired out, can I get an amen!) because I never did get a good photo myself last year, after many attempts or near attempts, and so I was not able to send out cards. Won’t make that mistake again.
You are brave!
Dana:
October 17th, 2011 at 10:22 pm
Oh my…. blood, bears, embarassed preteens. Go big or go home is what I always say. You rock family photos! I personally am waiting for snow, which is scheduled for this Thursday. Sounds like fun doesn’t it.
Dana
Elaine:
October 17th, 2011 at 11:03 pm
Um…. love Astrid’s hat??
I say you give it another go when you have copious amounts of chocolate and wine in tow, you know, for you. Oh and no wool sweaters.
Love ya!
Galit Breen:
October 17th, 2011 at 11:18 pm
Oh man, did you ever nail this one! Perfectly.
(We did our pictures on Saturday, too! The whining and the perfect weather was the same. I’ll one up you with running off mid-pictures, though!)
Alison@Mama Wants This:
October 18th, 2011 at 12:05 am
You crack me up all the time, Tracy.
At least you got in some prize shots – right??
Jessica:
October 18th, 2011 at 12:31 am
It sounds like you will have some lovely cards this year.
Making It Work Mom:
October 18th, 2011 at 6:02 am
We haven’t done our pictures yet because I am still waiting for all the leaves to change!
I will say that we have had more than one photo shoot like this. One time we had a horrible time and I came home soo frustrated. As I was scanning through the pictures I found the best picture I have seen of my three children. It is truly one of those moments. Now to be fair they are probably laughing at me, but I don’t care because they look gorgeous!
And you girls are so beautiful even when they are complaining!
Jen:
October 18th, 2011 at 7:06 am
I recently wrote on a photographers group forum … taking photos of your own children is like
Jen:
October 18th, 2011 at 7:08 am
(damn phone). childbirth, you forget how painful it was before you try it again. {& again … in my case.}
Megan (Best of Fates):
October 18th, 2011 at 8:07 am
Hey, at least it’s close to Halloween – so now the blood will seem like a theme!
stacey:
October 18th, 2011 at 8:10 am
you make me smile…
Dara Dokas:
October 18th, 2011 at 8:46 am
Love the picture of your youngest! I can so see her frustration.
maybaby:
October 18th, 2011 at 9:12 am
At the next photo shoot, bring a friend to film it and put it on You Tube and see how many hits you get!
You are so brave….
Rachel {at} Mommy Needs a Vacation:
October 18th, 2011 at 9:17 am
The holiday photo shoot is a always a NIGHTMARE.
Thanks for the giggle!
Jackie:
October 18th, 2011 at 10:24 am
Oh good lord…. I was totally planning on doing this with my family…. all of them and using a handy remote for the camera. Now… now I’m not sure if I’m going to.
Mark:
October 18th, 2011 at 11:34 am
Too funny! But even with blood running down their faces, your girls still look gorgeous. I’ll keep these tips in mind. Or maybe I’ll hire some professional models to pose as my kids.
m.
Jen:
October 18th, 2011 at 12:02 pm
We are doing our family photo in a couple weeks. I will remember these tips.
angela:
October 18th, 2011 at 12:04 pm
I hope the scent of blood didn’t bring the bears out of hiding
Just find a stock photo of three girls and photoshop their faces onto it
And their outfits.
Jennifer:
October 18th, 2011 at 12:14 pm
My kids are completely uncooperative when it comes to taking photos. They just will not do it. I’m not sure I’ve ever had a photo of the two of them together that turned out really nice.
Leighann:
October 18th, 2011 at 1:00 pm
This all sounds like Holiday Spirit and Hugs to me.
Teenage angst, toddler antics, and bears.
That’s what family is made of.
Shell:
October 18th, 2011 at 2:47 pm
All this is why I usually don’t get a holiday pic done!
Johanna:
October 18th, 2011 at 3:37 pm
LOL, maybe this is why I’ve avoided the holiday photo in recent years.
Runnermom-jen:
October 18th, 2011 at 4:36 pm
Haha!! Why do we torture ourselves every year?! I always think I’ll do better/do it earlier and it always ends up being torture for everyone involved!
Rachelle:
October 18th, 2011 at 4:41 pm
Trying to get the perfect family photo gives me hives and makes my eye twitch. I give up. I have a feeling you got some good ones regardless of the blood & tears!
Amy ~ Eat. Live. Laugh. Shop.:
October 18th, 2011 at 7:22 pm
I’m crying laughing so hard!!
And our family shoot is this weekend! Can’t wait!
Alison at Mommy is a Power Ranger:
October 18th, 2011 at 9:33 pm
This really made me laugh. It is so true! Last year, people got a photo of one of my kids because they wouldn’t all sit together so I got 3 semi-decent photos, one of each child. I’m hoping I can get one of all 3 together this year.
tracy:
October 18th, 2011 at 11:30 pm
Can you believe I am thinking about dragging them all back out there to do it again this weekend as I do not love any of our shots. gah.
tracy:
October 18th, 2011 at 11:30 pm
We are suppose to have snow also. Crazy.
tracy:
October 18th, 2011 at 11:31 pm
NuxieMade. We have 15. Is that too many? I couldn’t decide on the color so I just got them all. lol
tracy:
October 18th, 2011 at 11:31 pm
Oh I love running off mid-pic. Those are classic!
tracy:
October 18th, 2011 at 11:32 pm
I know – some of the candid shots are truly the best. Our leaves have already fallen!
tracy:
October 18th, 2011 at 11:32 pm
Perfect analogy!
tracy:
October 18th, 2011 at 11:33 pm
Next year I am totally getting stand-ins.
tracy:
October 18th, 2011 at 11:34 pm
LOL – I did that two years ago also when Astrid was a baby – just 3 separate photos of them. I’m quite determined this year even if I have to glue them together..physically.
Melanie H.:
October 18th, 2011 at 11:39 pm
Yes, I can. It is the Christmas card photo, after all!
Kristin @ What She Said:
October 19th, 2011 at 8:46 am
And I think the card should read:
Merry.Effing.Christmas.
Simple, bold, makes a statement. People won’t soon forget it.
julie gardner:
October 19th, 2011 at 9:33 am
My best holiday photo shoot was the year Jack was driving me so very absolutely totally crazy, I finally slapped his face to get him back under control.
Not hard, people. Don’t call CPS.
But.
Everyone commented that year about how rosy Jack’s cheeks were in our Christmas card picture.
Yep.
John:
October 19th, 2011 at 11:32 am
Why not just get a picture of the kids riding the bear when the bear comes to investigate the blood?
I had plans to try Take 1 of holiday photos on Monday, when I was home, sick, but with the kids so that my wife could get some peace & quiet. Just as I pulled out the camera, the boy decided to give the cat a hug. The cat didn’t appreciate the hug, and the scratch, though barely visible, kept him from even bothering to look at a camera . . . and, when he did, he just pointed to the scratch on his wrist.
Practical Parenting:
October 19th, 2011 at 4:18 pm
I’m printing this so I can refer to it for our picture. Hope it works.
Marta:
October 19th, 2011 at 4:46 pm
I haven’t taken my photos yet, so I’m very excited to follow your helpful tips =) I’m sure you have lots of gorgeous photos that came out of it though!
Barbara:
October 20th, 2011 at 8:32 am
I’m with Mark on this one, why not just hire kid models? I’m thinking of just ordering the holiday cards with the family already on them and saving myself the trouble of family pics this year.
What We’re Reading This Week: October 26th — It Builds Character:
October 25th, 2011 at 7:01 pm
[...] to stories, blog posts, and whatever else we’ve found interesting to check out.HUMORSellabit Mum: Top 10 Tips For A Successful Holiday Family Photo ShootLiteral Mom via All Fooked Up: Go Ahead, Amuse Me Literal MomBlogging Dangerously: Fate Is A Fickle [...]
krista:
October 26th, 2011 at 11:42 am
Okay, this is just HYSTERICAL… If you don’t mind I would love to re-post on my blog http://www.kristaleephotography.blogspot.com, I laughed so hard after reading this. Hope you ended up getting a few good ones, LOL!
genette:
October 26th, 2011 at 12:07 pm
As a photographer, I had to tell you that you made me laugh SO hard! Mostly because…I’ve been there…with MY OWN KIDS!!!! And, of course, customers. Thanks for such an honest post!
admin:
October 26th, 2011 at 12:13 pm
yes – you certainly can – thank you so much! xo
Nikki:
October 26th, 2011 at 12:49 pm
Here’s a crazy thought, let the kiddies run around and play together for your pictures. Who says kids have to stand so boringly with half smiles on a card? You get great pictures of happy playing children and they are happy because they dont have to stand still and smile.
admin:
October 26th, 2011 at 1:18 pm
Oh believe me – we did. We did. This was just meant as a joke.
Blogs I’m creeping « East Coast Girl:
October 26th, 2011 at 1:51 pm
[...] Mum – I stumbled onto her blog via her hilarious post Top 10 Tips for a Successful Holiday Family Photo Shoot that a friend posted on [...]
Tifani:
October 28th, 2011 at 9:57 pm
OMG I clicked this on Pinterest thinking I was getting some great hints for a family session I have on Sunday. Little did I know I’d be treated to some great laughs from a friend. Great stuff as usual, T!
Leigh Powell Hines (@Hinessightblog):
October 31st, 2011 at 6:27 am
My photo shoot is in two weeks. Should I cancel?
Found your great blog through Amy at Eat. Live. Shop.
We have a lot in common. Same age, young children.
Wanted to say hi.
Thanksgiving |:
November 26th, 2011 at 1:01 pm
[...] mom knows what I’m taking about. She describes the experience of the family holiday shoot with young [...]