Picture this. You’re taking an afternoon stroll at the park. During your walk, you look over and see a tripod and camera standing alone. As you inspect closer, you see a family of three quickly posing while fumbling around with an 80-pound dog in between shots.
That was us. We were the family of three.
For context, let me give you the backstory of how this photoshoot came about.
As the holidays approached, I became eager to get our family photos taken for Christmas cards. You book a photographer – have the photos taken – create a holiday card – mail it out. Seems simple enough, right?
Wrong.
I learned the hard way that booking a photographer isn’t just a walk in the park, especially during the holiday season. I spent a solid two months researching local photographers and sending out emails, but found no one with availability. Stressed, frustrated and impatient, I made the decision to just take the photos myself. All it would require is setting up a tripod, using a self timer, and having everyone pose. Seems simple enough, right?
Wrong, again.
I’m not sure if was the stress or the wine – but I somehow convinced myself that I could photograph a seven month old, a dog, and two adults – by myself – simply using a flimsy tripod and a wireless remote. From getting everyone to look in the same direction as the camera, to inconspicuously hiding the wireless remote in each shot, man was it a challenge.
With a baby quickly growing impatient, we decided to only shoot at two locations in the park. We tried not to give it much thought either – found an empty bridge and stairs and went with both. Simple.
Our little photoshoot lasted about an hour and ended up being such a fun experience. From the laughs to the awkward posing in front of strangers, I wouldn’t have changed a single thing. While we may not have ended up with professional photos, these images mean so much more.
Here’s a few helpful tips I learned throughout the process:
1. If using a photographer, book early.
Don’t wait until November or early December to try and book holiday photos. Family photographers experience a rush this time of year and you’ll pull your hair out trying to find one with last minute availability.
2. Shop around!
With this being my first year seeking a family photographer, I wasn’t sure what to expect for pricing. I noticed that many photographers offered “mini holiday sessions”, which essentially is a 15-20 minute holiday themed photoshoot. These appear to be common amongst photographers as they allow for them to accommodate several clients in one day, which is convenient during the holiday season. The downfall? Some mini-sessions can be pricey. While shopping around, the most absurd price I saw was $499 for a 20 minute session.
Let me repeat that. Four hundred and ninety nine dollars for twenty minutes.
No disrespect to the photographer, I just have a really hard time wrapping my head around the pricing in relation to the amount of time you are getting for the photoshoot. It’s worth noting however, I did stumble across several photographers with reasonable pricing. So again, shop around and book early. The better the photographers rates, the less availability they’ll likely have.
3. Take the photos yourself.
This is the most cost efficient route and is the one I took. I underestimated how challenging it would be to capture family photos on my own, but if I can do it, so can you. Invest in a wireless remote and tripod for starters. Alternatively, bring an additional person to help you shoot. Take as many photos as you can (or as many as the little one will tolerate). You’re bound to have at least a few good shots.
4. Don’t stress over the location.
Once I decided that I was taking my own holiday photos, I spent several nights researching locations that I thought would make the perfect backdrop for our photos. The day of the shoot, TJ suggested a local park and I just went with the flow. It ended up being the perfect spot for our photos. Whether you choose to use a photographer or take the photos yourself, remember less is more when it comes to the location.
I hope you learned something from this post, and if anything, became inspired to simply take your own photos when all else fails.
I leave you with a few of my favorite shots and a view of our holiday cards.
Wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday season!
Xo,
Brooke
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