NOVEMBER 24TH:
Today I am thankful for family & new memories.
Today we will spend our time with family and friends that are just like family. I was talking to my sister-in-law the other day about how as we get older the holidays change. How you made memories 5 years ago might be totally different than how you make memories this year. Maybe you've lost family members, marriages have changed, relationships have changed, new family members have been added etc etc etc. The thing to remember is that we are family and ALL FAMILIES are a little crazy... Try to embrace the change/the new, push past the sad memories, get excited about the happy crazy moments, and MAKE NEW MEMORIES. If you have kids, then today is what they will remember when they are your age. When Fable and Ever are 38, and they have kids, I want them to remember the fun memories we making right now!
So as you are making memories - take pictures!!!
As promised here are a few photo tips :
- DO NOT SAY CHEESE
- get the kids in a group and let them be comfortable
- when the grown ups back up to take the shot - Let one person be in charge
(if this can't happen then you need to take turns when you are photographing a group)
- if too many people are talking trying to get the attention of all of the little ones - then they do not know who to look at and honestly it can become very confusing for them.
- if you want to get natural expressions then get their attention and ask them a silly question (be ready to shoot when they laugh)
- if you are going for a Christmas card photo - go outside if you can - and shoot close - it doesn't have to be a full body shot.
- whatever you do - DO NOT let it get chaotic... "smile at your mother right now or you can't go see the Muppets today!" BOO that's no fun...
Yes, you are taking a planned photo, but as I always say at ARP - kids have to be distracted and forget what we're doing to an extent (that goes for grown ups too...) Talk to them, make them look at you, get them to giggle, let them have fun. Do not make this become a forced moment.
It doesn't have to be a perfect picture - just make sure you take it!!!
Happy Thanksgiving
Allison
