This is a sponsored post on behalf of Portrait Innovations but all opinions are 100% my own.
Every year I get holiday photos done of my kids and this year, as we were getting our photos done I turned to my husband and remarked how easy it was this year to get great photos. Trust me when I say however that has not always been the case.
Getting holiday photos can be stressful, especially when it involves multiple children, but as the kids have gotten older and I have gotten wiser it has certainly gotten easier and I have some easy tips for you to help you get the best holiday photos of your kids this year!
Tips for Getting great Holiday Photos
Plan ahead–The earlier you can have your holiday photos taken the less stressed your holiday season will be. Trust me, I know. This year, we had them done before Thanksgiving so I had a great selection of holiday attire to chose from so I was able to easily coordinate our clothing. By planning ahead and figuring out what everyone is going to wear in the pictures and purchasing needed items early it means that I can remove one thing from my already busy holiday schedule. In addition, because we went so early in the season we didn’t have to deal with any crowds or scheduling issues–which leads me to my next tip.
Go at a good time–Go at a time that works best for your children. Have a baby that naps? Then avoid scheduling them near nap time or your child will just be cranky. Kids in school all day? Then skip the after school time slot because the last thing your kids are going to want to do is have to sit still. For my family, I find the best time to go is before 1 1/2 hours before lunch, everyone is fresh faced, has eaten breakfast and is ready to smile and in a good mood.
Get everything ready the night before–The night before you get your holiday photos done make sure to double check you have everything you need so that you aren’t searching for stuff right before you have to leave. I lay out all the clothing, including tights, socks and shoes so that everyone just has to get dressed when it is time to go.
Take an emergency bag with you–I like to take a bag with a hairbrush, extra tights for my girls, bobby pins or hair ties and even some hairspray to tame wayward hair.
Have a reward in place for good behavior— My kids know that if they behave during photos we will head out for lunch right after photos. It is a great incentive for good behavior-especially for my always hungry teens and pre-teens!
Have realistic expectations–Remember, these are your kids, not professional models so have realistic expectations. A picture is a moment in that time in your child’s life so embrace it, imperfection, frowns and all!
Finally, go someplace that is used to dealing with kids of all ages, which is why I love to go to Portrait Innovations. The photographers are used to dealing with kids in all times of moods and they go above and beyond to make the session a great one.
I also love that they have a large range of backgrounds to use in photos, including their popular holiday background and they always make sure to ask if there are any special poses or groupings that you want so that you are always happy with your photos.
Add in the fact that you can see your photos right away and take them home same day and it is the perfect situation for busy families. Plus I love that I can get my holiday photo cards printed there too!
I am thrilled to be able to offer one lucky NEPA MOM reader a free Portrait Innovation holiday session so that you can go and have your holiday photos taken. Check out the Holiday Session details here and make sure visit their Facebook and Twitter page.
Giveaway Details
Session includes a free six-‐pose package including two sheets of any size per pose two 10×13 special effects decorator portraits and one high resolution CD of all portrait images!
Happy Holidays!
Love the tips & the photos of the kids are stunning! I would love to have a family portrait with my daughter, my husband & myself, we are long overdue!!
I would take my kids for pictures – we haven’t’ had professional ones in years!
In our picture it will be my two girls.
Would love this for the kids!
Great photos! Thanks for the chance to win!
Thanks for the opportunity to win! We would have the photo session for my husband, two daughters, and me.
Great tips! We have been using Portrait Innovations since my oldest was born. Not only do they know how to work with kids, but their packages are a great value!
My husband, our children, and myself
I haven’t had my kids get a solo picture together in many years!
I will do family pictures
My husband, son, me and my baby bump would be our portraits!
I would have my fiancé , his mother and my two sister’s in our photo session! It would be our first photo together as one big family.
My two daughters, ages 4 & 6 and my 13 mth old son 🙂
I would love to have family pictures taken with myself, my husband and our daughter.
My niece and her family.
Most likely it will be my fiancee and I.
My husband and two children would be great subjects to photograph 🙂
My 3 kids would be be in the photos, but I would love for me and my husband to be in at least one of them.
I’d love to get a photo taken of all my mom’s grandkids this year. They’re not always in the same state so it would be a fantastic gift for her!
My husband, kids and I! Your pictures came out nice!
my little girl, she has never had professional pictures taken.
My daughter, husband, and I will be in our family photo shoot.
My husband and daughter!
My family and both dogs.
I will take a picture with my daughter