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EMILY BRASHIER PHOTOGRAPHY
Local photographers share tips on taking best holiday pictures
BY Heide Brandes Photos By Prints Charming Photography,
Emily Brashier, and Fry Photography
The holiday season is lurking around the corner. It’s that time of year when families start making Christmas memories, and photos are the best way to capture the joy of the season.
If you aren’t a professional photographer or do not know where to start when it comes to taking amazing holiday photos, we’ve collected some tips from some of the best Oklahoma City photographers.
Christian Sangree of Prints Charming Photography, Splurge’s very own Emily Brashier and Terrell Fry of Fry Photography share smart and simple instructions on how to ensure a great family photo:
Christian Sangree’s Top Tips:
Always have good light.
“I love that photography is called ‘photography,’ not ‘picture taking,’ because
photography is the study of light. It doesn’t matter if people are posed perfect, if you have bad light, you don’t get a good photo. Some of my favorite photos were taken on a phone because I had great light.”
It’s more important to capture good photos than take the “perfect” picture.
“Try to make it fun and get everyone on board. If someone isn’t having fun, fake smiles won’t help and only makes it worse. Sometimes families try too hard to take the ‘perfect’ family photo when they should just relax and have fun and capture the moment.”
Use zoom.
“If you can zoom in, then step back and zoom in as opposed to getting up close. If you are too close, you get more distortion with a wider lens, especially when shooting portraits. Stepping back also gives kids space to be themselves. Avoid digital zoom, though, because it will be pixilated.”
Emily Brashier’s Top Tips:
Have a plan of the shots you want most and prepare for them so you don’t forget.
Have your camera ready the night before with plenty of memory space and a full battery.
Lights!
“Always make sure there is light on people’s faces. Position them facing a window or the Christmas tree to shed some light on their faces.”
Try a new angle.
“Try lying on the floor or standing on a chair to get a new, more interesting perspective.”
Take way more photos than you need.
“By capturing plenty of images, you can be sure that you have some good ones—even if there are a lot you delete later.”
Enjoy!
“Laugh! Don’t make photos torturous for your family. Be silly or tickle them to get kids to smile genuinely instead of the ‘cheese’ grin.”
Share the camera.
“Let someone else take photos too. Even kids can sometimes capture really great images if you give them the opportunity.”
Terrell Fry’s Top Tips:
Start early with the details.
“Plan ahead and get the detail pictures in advance. Set aside some time before Christmas morning to be creative and take pictures of the decorations. Ornaments on the tree, stockings on the mantle, packages under the tree, or even Santa’s leftover milk and cookies are all good to capture each year.”
Zoom in tight.
“Often a picture can be improved just by using the zoom or stepping closer to your subject. Identify what you want to shoot and zoom in on it. This will reduce the amount of clutter and distractions in the picture, and allow you to focus more clearly on what you intended.”
Set it and forget it!
“I hate to admit it, but it took me years to realize that Christmas morning is not the best time to try to get professional photos. Once Santa has been there, no one really wants to pose for pictures.
If your camera is able to shoot in intervals, find a location that gives the best coverage, set the camera to take a picture every minute or two, then join your family. Let go of perfection and enjoy making memories with your loved ones.”
About Prints Charming Photography
Prints Charming Photography is 100 percent locally owned and operated by
husband-and-wife team, Christian and Holly Sangree. They are full-time professional photographers who specialize in outdoor portraits as well as business headshots, advertising, commercial and real estate photography. For more information and to see their portfolio of recent work, please visit: PrintsCharmingPhotography.com or call 405-748-0088.
About Emily Brashier
Emily Brashier Photography specializes in helping clients relax and enjoy the process of being photographed because as a mom, she knows how much easier it can be to let someone else handle the photos for you. Let her experience getting children to smile and patience dealing with more assertive little personalities ease the process for your Christmas photos this year. Contact Emily Brashier Photography on Facebook or at emilybrashier.com to book a Christmas mini session in your home for only $125 this December.
About Fry Photography
Terrell Fry started his photography business 15 years ago when his children started participating in youth sports. Fry has studied with and shot next to one of the NFL’s premier line photographers and was the “official” photographer for the Nadia Comaneci and Bart Conner gymnastics meets. He currently works with high school seniors, model prospects of all ages as well as families. For more information, visit fry.photography, facebook.com/photographybyfry or call 405-823-0557.
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