This post is written in partnership with Socialstars and ROC.
#RoCRetinolResolution #WomenWhoRoC
How in the world is it already time to think about holiday photos? I feel like we just started the school year…..but believe it or not, holiday photo time is rapidly approaching. Most families take holiday pictures in the beginning or middle of November so that they have time to receive pictures, order and send holiday cards. So, it's time to prepare…..and today I'm sharing a few of our simple tips for how to take great holiday photos!
How to Take Great Holiday Photos:
Use a professional photographer: there's no substitute for quality when it comes to pictures. Super crisp, sharp pictures……just look better on a holiday card. Plus, photographers know how to capture great pictures in all different lights and locations. And honestly? If you've got a busy toddler….you need a pro. Our pictures of Lydia? Ghost hands most of the time. Most photographers do mini-sessions for the holidays…..they shoot a ton of families in one location in 30 or 45 minute slots. Ask your friends, it's a great deal…..and you'll get stellar pictures you can use for way more than your holiday cards!
Go for real, not perfectly posed: Perfectly posed pictures? Not my thing. With kids, they're pretty much impossible and when they do happen they just look boring. Ask your photographer to snap away. Let them capture you hugging your kids, playing with them. Turn some music on and ignore the camera. I promise, those are the best pictures every time.
Coordinate your outfits, without being too matchy-matchy: Totally matching outfits look a little cheesy, and can look dated after a couple years. Subtle coordination? Help pictures look more focused. For these outfits? Lydia and I are both wearing bow accents…and we stayed within a color scheme. Everything we are wearing is grey, black, white or red. Coordinated without being over the top.
Prepare yourself to look your best: Mom life is exhausting. It drains you, and honestly? It showed in my pictures. I looked tired and old. It was a little depressing. The best piece of advice a mom friend gave me? Preventative measures LONG before pictures. I've been working on my skincare routine…..and it's helped a ton. I've talked around these parts about how I cleared up my postpartum breakouts…..but those wrinkles? They didn't look so cute in pictures! I've started using RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream……and I'm LOVING the results. The main ingredient in this night cream is retinol, which is the #1 dermatologist recommended anti-aging ingredient….and man did it make a difference. Within 4 weeks, my skin looked firmer and younger. No one would have guessed that this 36 year old mom is exhausted from working full time and chasing a toddler around (unless they noticed the massive amounts of coffee I drink). Mamas, take the time to prep yourself for pictures…..it's as important as prepping your little ones!
Mommy: / bow tie tee (on sale!) / skirt (this year's version) / loafers /
Photos by: Hello Again Photography
Are you taking holiday photos this year? Where are you taking them?
Want more family photo tips? Check out this Nautical Family Photo Session, this Casual Family Photo Shoot, this colorful family picture session or this Country Family Photo Shoot!
Prepping for the holidays? Check out these tips for how to look great at holiday parties!
Love these photos and your daugther is just adorable in her red dress!
Aw thank you, isn’t the dress ADORABLE?
So cute! You need to add the hubby in there, or is he blogger shy? I know mine is. We’re taking photos next weekend! Yikes! The last piece of my outfit came last night, so excited that I have everything. Just need to pick up my skirt for the tailors and we’re done. phew! I always take them a little earlier because Shutterfly always has 50% off of everything on Cyber Monday, gotta take advantage 🙂
He’s getting more comfortable! We’re actually doing a whole family photo series…..because I think people want to know how to dress everyone together! We just did a nautical one with him included and we have another one coming up in a week! That’s a GREAT deal with shutterfly, good planning on your part 🙂
Great tips! We’re having ours done next week!
Love yours bows – too cute!
I love these ideas and couldn’t agree more. Definitely taking a moment to prepare yourself helps you feel your best. xo
Such great photos! And these are fantastic tips. She is adorable as usual, too 🙂
Great tips! I haven’t decided yet what I want to do for our Christmas cards this year.
These are all fabulous tips! 🙂 And I think professional mini sessions are like the best thing ever. Affordable and quick because little ones get antsy and tired pretty quickly. 😉
You and your daughter look adorable! I love your tips. We were just out taking pictures yesterday, and I noticed the tired mom-bie look on me. I’ll try your suggestion.
Your daughter is so stinking cute!
These are great tips. We’ve never taken holiday photos, and only had family pictures taken once. We’ve had another (another coming soon) kid since then, so it’s definitely on the to-do list.
Great tips!
It’s hard taking photos with toddlers and kids. I’m not really looking forward to photos this holidays season with a newborn and a toddler but like you said, cute, not posed. Your daughter is such a doll!
Anna
Happy Medley
Great photography tips for the holidays. Your little girl is so pretty. Thanks for linking up!
This dress is the cutest!
I usually hire a photographer. I don’t really know what I’m doing with a camera.
Is it that time of year already? Time is flying. Great post! Your daughter looks so cute in that little red dress. I love the photo of her peeking out from the pillar.
Thanks so much for linking up with Friday Favorites! Hope you have an amazing week ahead of you!
Christie
The Closet by Christie