Monday, December 20

Creative Prop Ideas for Taking Photos of Children for your Card this Christmas

by Karen Robert

A clever idea can make or break a holiday card photo shoot. From giving children building blocks to play with, or angle wings, props can be a useful tool to getting that perfect holiday picture. In my experience, we parents only have about 5 minutes to shoot a decent photo, after that the children have lost interest and are in danger of being uncooperative at best, at worst, of having a complete meltdown. The best way to get around this is to give them an activity or a prop to get them to cooperate. Lets face it, unless we’re super models, it’s tough for ANYBODY to pose comfortably in front of the camera with somebody saying “smile”. The photo is always much better if they’re smiling already, right? The following photos use props in a variety of ways and get that fabulous shot worthy of any Christmas mantle.

Let it Snow

I know I’ve shown this photo before, but for me, Marc Battaglia’s picture of his kid on a sled with the dog in a harness is one of the best examples of using props that I’ve seen. The caption is great as well. And how much do you love the V of the Geese up in the sky?
This child has building blocks spelling the word “JOY”. I love the Christmas message being already in the photo.

Found at:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/8739266@N02/2060973466

Thsi is an adorable shot of a newborn baby wrapped up like a coccoon with pinecones around him. Very sweet.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mamique/3018867818

This is a beautiful picture of kids with wings for their Christmas card like Raphael’s painting

Found at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/luke05olivia/3085953710

Amanda at AC Photography did this great picture of kids asleep in front of the Christmas tree.

Cute kids with antlers and red noses looking just like reindeers.

Found at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/naomifrost/3005183436

And the children were all nestled all snug in thier beds. This is a cute idea for taking pictures of kids reading holiday books in bed.

Found at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/_juleeln/2104975449

A cute photo of children’s bottoms and the words “As we leave 2009 behind.”

Taken by Sharyn Peavey

Cute picture of a baby in the tub with words spelled out behind him in plastic letters. I think this is a very clever idea for a Christmas card… or any card for that matter. You could spell all sorts of things with these letters, from “Happy Birthday Daddy” to “Please Come to my Party”

I love the Santa legs in this photo shoot, the kid is, of course, going to look up engagingly and all the photographer has to do it shoot. What better prop than Santa?

This photo is taken by Robin Winkles

Cute photo of a little boy with a sign saying “believe” for his family Christmas card photo, the sign takes this card from good to great.

Taken by Robin Winkles

This is a fun idea for props for a holiday shoot, throw a bunch of candy canes on the floor and let the children play

Taken by Robin Winkles

This is a fun card where the kids have tape on their mouths with the Caption, “Silent Night”, it’s a clever idea if your kids are up for it.

Found at http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150315070990#ht_8962wt_1141This is a cute idea for a Christmas card shoot with props of a baby in a tub with a teddy bear and a washboard.