A huge thanks to our friends at Gymboree for sponsoring today’s post.
Hello, friends!
Can you believe Thanksgiving is over and now it’s time to gear up for Christmas? One of my favorite things to do each holiday season is take photos of the boys at our house. Sometimes we take them in front of the Christmas tree, but this year for our first real Christmas in our new home, I wanted to take them in front of our large brick fireplace!
Taking photos of little ones is NOT easy. I will be the first to admit it. Our photoshoot took about an hour because we took a lot of breaks (one of our tips), but to have these precious photos is so worth it! Now it’s time to order Christmas cards!
5 Tips for Taking Holiday Photos of Your Kids:
1 | Shop for the Perfect Outfits
One of the stand-out things about a great holiday photo are festive holiday outfits! This year we shopped Gymboree for the perfect clothing for each boy. I wanted the outfits to be similar but just a little different to help represent the different personalities of the boys. Gymboree had everything we needed from top to bottom (even shoes) I couldn’t wait to put the boy in their new clothes!
Levi Wore: Plaid Shirt, Herringbone Vest, Herringbone Pants, Tweed Tie, Bear Socks, Camp Boots.
Wyatt Wore: Plaid Shirt, Puffer Vest, Bear Socks, Camp Boots.
2 | Set the Scene
Creating the perfect scene for holiday photos doesn’t have to be hard, simply grab what you have! For our photoshoot I had the boys sit right on top of a tree skirt on our fireplace. I put our holiday pillows on each side, and bam – we were ready!
3 | Get Back-ups
Make sure your camera batteries are fully charged, and have a backup just in case. If you’re children want to wear a specific item and you have a duplicate, bring it. You never know what you’ll need during your shoot and you don’t want to be held up when you’ve got little ones involved.
4 | Take Breaks
As I mentioned before, our photo shoot took about an hour because breaks are mandatory for us. No child likes sitting still, so this sometimes makes it difficult to get a good shot. Instead of fighting to get your kids to sit still, let them have breaks to wiggle around. Some good jumping jacks, bouncing, or a good old fashioned game of chase around the living room will help to ensure you’re little ones are ready to take that photo! You may have to slick a few hairs back afterwards, but your kiddos will be happy!
5 | Have Props
A friend of mine (Carly) gave me the best idea. USE PROPS! Your kids don’t have to be looking right at the camera smiling, give them something to hold and look at. This was a huge stress reliever for us because it mixed things up a little bit.
I am so happy with how the photos of the boys turned out, and I just can’t get over how adorable their outfits from Gymboree were! I mean, Levi in a tie? Get out of town.
One Big Happy Wonderland with Gymboree:
From December 1 – December 10, in Gymboree stores nationwide, you’ll get a fun scratcher at checkout!
The scratcher could inspire a family game night with a Mattel Prize Pack of Uno, Apples to Apples and Pictionary plus $50 to for Gymmies to outfit the evening! Or your scratcher could reveal a gift basket of Mrs. Fields Cookies – sweet treats for Santa! Or even a shopping trip treat with a Free Auntie Anne’s Classic Pretzel! TWO customers will even get a holiday vacation with a Club Med all-inclusive family vacation! Each scratcher will reveal a special surprise to create One Big Happy Wonderland!
Be sure to visit a Gymboree store near you between 12/1/16 – 12/10/16 to pick up everything needed for your family photos + to pick up a scratcher to see what you’ll win!
Do you have additional tips for taking photos of little ones?
Leave them in the comments below!
Adorable! My favorite shots were of the kids playing in the snow, and of them opening presents. I liked that they were concentrating on something other than me!
I think starting off with matching outfits is a great place. Your kids seriously look adorable. I’m not sure if my teen boys would wear matching clothing, but I’d love to try. lol I like the JOY light that you used with them.
Love the tips – especially the camera battery reminder. I mean, who ever thinks about that! Those Gymboree outfits are so great!
These photos are simply adorable! I have a VERY difficult time getting my two boys to sit for pictures – even just one. They are 6 and 2 and do not like looking at the camera at all.
I love your tips! Props are so helpful when taking photos of children! I’m usually a let them run while snapping photos, but I’m the aunt so it’s totally different!
These are darling photos! I love Christmas photos they are so fun but can be so stressful in the moment!
Great tips but I’m glad I don’t take our photo’s. I’ll leave that to my daughter who does an amazing job. I love that tie and vest on the cool dude!
Cuteness overload! You did shop for the perfect outfits, they look so handsome. Using props certainly made the shots more decorative.
I can’t believe it is nearly Christmas already, isn’t that crazy? I absolutely adore both outfits but especially that grey waistcoat combo. Fantastic photos xx
I need to do this today – of course it is so dark outside I have no natural light…and I forgot to buy shoes for the kiddos when I got their outfits…oops 🙂
Great tips! I agree with taking breaks and allowing extra time for your kiddos to settle. I think some of the best photos are the ones that catch kids being themselves.
Awww your boys are adorable!! Love their outfits. You inspired me–I want to do my own photo shoot with my kids 🙂
I am obsessed with your kids’ outfits!!! So cute! I love the first one where they are holding the JOY sign!
Oh my goodness – they’re so adorable! I need to buy some of these clothes for my nephew!
Great ideas for taking holiday photos at home. I am a big proponent of taking a little time to plan them out so you don’t have to spend a lot of money on photography.
The tips are absolutely handy tips knowing that kid as the subject of photography can be a real challenge as they move constantly, and their mood can change easily. Beautiful photos of your sons, and the outfits are lovely.
Such good tips! I have to take pictures next week and I am hoping that I have two cooperative little girls!
These are awesome tips! I agree that the right outfit makes a huge difference. Your children look so adorable and cozy!
Having props is such a great tip! Anytime I’ve had props it helps distract and gets the kiddos looking more natural!
What cuties! Props is always important as they really add something to the picture but they also keep little hands busy! LOL. Talk about perfect! I love it! Cute shots!
These are great tips! Taking photos of kids can be hard to get just right and these tips will be very helpful.
Wow! I love all of these tips. We don’t do professional photos, so these suggestions are very helpful for me.
Thank you for the idea. I’m actually putting together Holiday Family Portraits and it’s going to be perf with your little tips.
These are all great ideas! We just did a photo shoot for our family picture and wow. We have so many shots and only a few with everyone smiling!
These tips are fantastic! I do feel like taking your own pics comes out better than professional. These photos are great.
These are some fantastic tips!!! Taking awesome pics of kiddos can be tricky that’s for sure
Love these tips!!! I love when kids are matching in outfits, my parents matched me and my brother once for holiday photos its cute.