Learn From Other People"s Very Very Bad Choices
Do's and Dont's of the Precarious Family Photo
This family photo is a real stinker. Take a hint from this list of family photo flops and successes.
1. Don't: Get Matchy Matchy
Let's start this list off with a bang. If you're spending the holidays together and posing for a photo, you're sending a clear message that you are a family. No need to hammer it home with two dozen of the exact same outfit. Coordinating at this advanced level goes from cute to cult pretty quickly, especially when you top everyone off with their very own Rip Van Winkle cap.
Do: Go for Subtle!
You can still look like a cohesive, coordinated family in your holiday photos - but keep it subtle! Think about mixing complimentary tones or colors instead. So rather than have everyone wear the same red sweater and jeans, pick a few colors, and try to have each person wearing at least one of them like the Obama's did here with black and white. When people tell you how well you all complimented each other in your annual photo, you can say, "Oh, how funny!
I guess we just all think alike," and then turn around and secretly high five yourself for nailing it.
2. Don't: Pick a Theme
Consider this: whatever holiday you are celebrating is it's own built in theme. It's so easy. No need to think out of the box on this one, space corn family- save your costume ideas for Halloween, or even for a rainy day when you need to get those creative juices a-flowing.
Seriously Stop with the Themes
But wait, what if the theme you choose to dress as IS the holiday itself? Yeah, still no. Everything you need to get your holiday across through your photos is at your fingertips. So for this family - no need to BE the tree, there's an actual tree you can just stand by instead for this exact purpose!
Do: Take a PJ Pic!
Not only should you avoid dressing up, but maybe you shouldn't even get dressed at all! This is the one time of the year where it's not only appropriate, but actually adorable, to stay in your pajamas all day long. Why not document the heck out of your cute P.J. party? Some of the sweetest Christmas photos come from those real, cozy moments around the tree, like this photo of the Kennedy's. If the First Lady didn't feel the need to get her family dressed on Christmas morning, it's probably a safe bet that this is a total Do.
Wait...
Unless... your family members look like this in their pajamas. Then maybe ditch the PJ pic.
Dont: Strike a Pose
The best holiday photos are images of organic moments captured in time. This is not one of those moments. Though this is clearly a man with incredible physical prowess and an intoxicating stare, perhaps Christmas time is not the ideal moment to show off these assets.
Do: Keep it Candid
Avoid the rigidity of a posed-for photo, and aim to capture those real moments that make your family unique. Take advantage of cell phone cameras and encourage everyone to take photos throughout the day without too much thought or planning, and you're bound to end up with some treasures.
Do: Keep it Classy
The holidays are the time of year where you wake up in a house surrounded by in-laws, shocked that you're hungry again after how much you stuffed your face the night before. This environment is not ideal for channeling your sexy side. Do everyone a favor and leave the red latex to Mean Girls.
Don't: Force it
When you finally change out of your PJ's later in the evening, take a hint from another timelessly elegant lady, Audrey. Steer clear of dressing in a super trendy outfit, and stick to the classics. Your photos will stand the test of time for years to come, just like this one does.
Do: Be Ready
If you can't convince 3 out of the 4 members of your family to smile in your photo, maybe you've chosen the wrong time to reach for the camera. Don't force the picture. Even surly teenagers and grumpy relatives will crack a smile at some point.
Be prepared to capture those genuine moments. Let them happen on their own, and then do your best to snap some photos when the timing is right.
This family photo is a real stinker. Take a hint from this list of family photo flops and successes.
1. Don't: Get Matchy Matchy
Let's start this list off with a bang. If you're spending the holidays together and posing for a photo, you're sending a clear message that you are a family. No need to hammer it home with two dozen of the exact same outfit. Coordinating at this advanced level goes from cute to cult pretty quickly, especially when you top everyone off with their very own Rip Van Winkle cap.
Do: Go for Subtle!
You can still look like a cohesive, coordinated family in your holiday photos - but keep it subtle! Think about mixing complimentary tones or colors instead. So rather than have everyone wear the same red sweater and jeans, pick a few colors, and try to have each person wearing at least one of them like the Obama's did here with black and white. When people tell you how well you all complimented each other in your annual photo, you can say, "Oh, how funny!
I guess we just all think alike," and then turn around and secretly high five yourself for nailing it.
2. Don't: Pick a Theme
Consider this: whatever holiday you are celebrating is it's own built in theme. It's so easy. No need to think out of the box on this one, space corn family- save your costume ideas for Halloween, or even for a rainy day when you need to get those creative juices a-flowing.
Seriously Stop with the Themes
But wait, what if the theme you choose to dress as IS the holiday itself? Yeah, still no. Everything you need to get your holiday across through your photos is at your fingertips. So for this family - no need to BE the tree, there's an actual tree you can just stand by instead for this exact purpose!
Do: Take a PJ Pic!
Not only should you avoid dressing up, but maybe you shouldn't even get dressed at all! This is the one time of the year where it's not only appropriate, but actually adorable, to stay in your pajamas all day long. Why not document the heck out of your cute P.J. party? Some of the sweetest Christmas photos come from those real, cozy moments around the tree, like this photo of the Kennedy's. If the First Lady didn't feel the need to get her family dressed on Christmas morning, it's probably a safe bet that this is a total Do.
Wait...
Unless... your family members look like this in their pajamas. Then maybe ditch the PJ pic.
Dont: Strike a Pose
The best holiday photos are images of organic moments captured in time. This is not one of those moments. Though this is clearly a man with incredible physical prowess and an intoxicating stare, perhaps Christmas time is not the ideal moment to show off these assets.
Do: Keep it Candid
Avoid the rigidity of a posed-for photo, and aim to capture those real moments that make your family unique. Take advantage of cell phone cameras and encourage everyone to take photos throughout the day without too much thought or planning, and you're bound to end up with some treasures.
Do: Keep it Classy
The holidays are the time of year where you wake up in a house surrounded by in-laws, shocked that you're hungry again after how much you stuffed your face the night before. This environment is not ideal for channeling your sexy side. Do everyone a favor and leave the red latex to Mean Girls.
Don't: Force it
When you finally change out of your PJ's later in the evening, take a hint from another timelessly elegant lady, Audrey. Steer clear of dressing in a super trendy outfit, and stick to the classics. Your photos will stand the test of time for years to come, just like this one does.
Do: Be Ready
If you can't convince 3 out of the 4 members of your family to smile in your photo, maybe you've chosen the wrong time to reach for the camera. Don't force the picture. Even surly teenagers and grumpy relatives will crack a smile at some point.
Be prepared to capture those genuine moments. Let them happen on their own, and then do your best to snap some photos when the timing is right.
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