how to take the perfect christmas card picture

It is the most wonderful time of the year… Christmas Card takin’ time! Don’t despair! This is something that you can do at home with your own camera.   Don’t be fooled into so-called professional photography.   NO expertise needed!   Just follow my simple steps to the perfect take-it-yourself Christmas picture. Holly’s Handy Dandy Steps to the Perfect DIY Christmas Picture: 1. Gather the kids and dress ’em in something nice – We are taking a picture!   They will be excited so try and create a calm environment for your photograph. 2.   Encourage the kids to smile – it is best to command smiling over and over again in a stern and warning voice. 3.   When encouragement isn’t getting the results you need, then threatening them within an inch of their life is extremely effective – the bigger the threat, the better the result. 4.   Changing the scene helps especially if you are asking them to sit in the presence of spiders – children adore bugs! 5.   It is optimal to require them to sit or stand without moving – holding a pose quietly comes naturally to children (especially boys) and often they will thank you after the session for allowing them to express their “inner statue”. 6.   Posing the children in elaborate formations, such as a pyramid, encourages their participation – children are extremely attentive to being photographed and won’t be distracted by the fact that their brother’s knee is jabbing them in the back or that the grass is wet beneath their knees. 7.   Have the children hug to create a calm sense of brotherly love – boys love hugs especially from their brothers.   Hugging for the camera combines two of their favorite things.   It is very win-win. 8.   Pose the kids in front of the Christmas tree – every expression is more festive there! 9.   Be aware that non-photo Christmas cards are available at almost any retail location – after taking 547 inadequate photographs intended for Christmas card distribution, it might be best to pick up a few boxes.