Holiday photo ideas...

[dmmiller]

Hi Everyone,
I'm wondeirng if anyone can help me out with staging some holiday shots.
I'm new to this type of thing and was wondering how you all go about setting up
your scene so it looks natural.
Example, christmas tree w/presents underneath: how do you set the person in front of the tree so it doesnt make it look like the tree is too large/small?
Do you use the whole tree in your shot, or just as a background - cutting off the tree top?

What other idea do you use besides the traditional tree setting?
Also I dont have much the way of lighting, so what do you typically use
in the way of settings.

I'm wanting to play around (as long as the kids let me) and try and get some
shots for our xmas cards. I know i'm asking a lot so Any help is GREATLY appreciated! :)

[dmmiller]

No one?

Okay, what about some ideas on props?

[breathless]

...I'm new to this type of thing and was wondering how you all go about setting up your scene so it looks natural.
Example, christmas tree w/presents underneath: how do you set the person in front of the tree so it doesnt make it look like the tree is too large/small?
Do you use the whole tree in your shot, or just as a background - cutting off the tree top?

What other idea do you use besides the traditional tree setting?
Also I dont have much the way of lighting, so what do you typically use
in the way of settings...

Your question is quite broad. Perhaps the reason for the hesitation in responses?

To make a scene look natural in an image, you need to set up the scene to look natural. Simple, isn't it? Whether you include the whole tree in the photo, or not, is totally up to you, the photographer. You should do whatever you think will look best.

The whole of creating an image has three stages. First, and most important, is the visualization of the image. The photographer must have a good idea of the final image in order to prepare and set up the set, lighting, camera, props, models, tools and equipment, etc. In commercial photography, this stage is called "pre-production." Most of the time and effort spent on a shoot is in pre-production. Without careful planning and visualization of the final image in pre-production, you may or may not get the image you were trying to achieve. Doing so will ensure that you get the photo that you planned to get. The second stage of creating an image is the shoot(AKA production.) The shoot, with proper pre-production, is likely to be the easiest, shortest part of creating an image. With all of the work done in pre-production, there are no surprises, no guess work. Simply shoot and wrap. The third and last stage, of course, is the "post-production". This stage is where the photographer takes the captured images and finalizes the image. Enhancing, retouching the images to drive home and fully communicate the message of the image, then output to a final product - digital file, print, even Christmas cards.

Your Christmas card image with your kids can be a tightly cropped photo of your kids surrounding and playing with some presents and other props(socks hanging on the mantle, a log fire in the fireplace, a dog comfortably sleeping on a warm furry carpet,...), can be naturally lit with a few candle lights, tree lights and fireplace, or it could be a very traditional looking image of your kids posed classically and engaging the camera with clean, soft flash exposure. It's totally up to you as the photographer. If I had to make ONE suggestion for a Christmas card portrait, I'd suggest not blasting the image with flash, wiping out all ambient light. Keep the warm colors of the tree lights, keep the warm colors of a log fire. Use your knowledge in post-processing skills to accentuate the message of warmth, family, love, home, and all the other good stuff that comes with Christmas.

A long-winded, not-so-to-the-point type of an answer, I'm afraid. My apologies for boring you. Happy Holidays and happy shooting!

[dmmiller]

Sorry for such a broad question. :) this is new territory for me, so I'm over analyzing things.

As for your answer, I really appreciate all the information you gave me. There is lots to consider when setting up the set. I guess that is where trial and error comes in. :) thanks again for all your help.

[queenbee288]

Keep it simple and don't over do it on the props.

[RyanK]

Reindeer? Idk. Like queen said. Keep it simple.

[dmmiller]

Thanks for the additional comments.
For my kids, I just sat them in front of the tree and did some shots last night.

Hubby says I need to get a studio and get out of his LIving room. LOL