Hi! Welcome to Photagio’s Blog! Here we share with you our tips on celebrating your family’s stories, tips on digital photography, and fun ways to celebrate your moments. Be sure to sign up and Photagio will email each new blog directly to you!
Sure, you’ve baked the turkey, served up some tasty side dishes, and even provided a pumpkin pie… but while you were busy in the kitchen, who was snapping the photos? What will you share with those friends and relatives who were unable to attend? Read on for fun ways to celebrate your holiday moments then share those memories with others.
Most of these ideas were thought of for Thanksgiving, but you could easily adapt them for whatever special meals or parties you have planned over the holidays: Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas, New Year’s or future family get togethers.
Share your Thanks
Have each one of your guests bring along a “totem” – a trinket, photo, or even a piece of clothing – that represents what they are most grateful for this year. You could change this according to the holiday you are celebrating, asking your guests to bring something that represents light or peace or their hopes for the New Year. Assemble all the tokens on a dark (or light) colored blanket, and take a photo. You could add a symbol of the holiday to the blanket, such as a turkey, so you remember what the totems represent. At dinner or dessert, have each guest tell what their totem means and why they brought it. You could record one or two (or all!) of these stories to accompany your photo.
Get the Kids Together
Sometimes it’s hard to capture the little ones on camera, if they are too busy running around, or don’t give natural smiles when posed. Try corralling them with a craft and take some action photos while they’re working. A popular craft for all ages is decorating ginger bread cookies. Most family magazines and many websites have recommendations and directions for simple holiday crafts this time of year, or just drop in to your local craft store for a recommendation. If you have a video camera, you could try asking each child what he or she is thankful for this year, and recording their answers.
Snap the Setting
Don’t forget to take photos of the tablescape, even before the food is laid out. Also considering prefacing the series of holiday photos in your album with an opening photo of one special, or a meaningful group of, decorations.
Greet your Guests
Try one of these ways to ensure you capture each guest on camera. Take a photo of each arriving family at the door or in the same spot, perhaps framed by a holiday decoration. Or take a picture of each dinner dish with the person or family who brought it. Don’t forget to snap an extra photo or two of the oldest and the youngest guests.
Capture the Action
Don’t forget to snap a few pictures in the kitchen of those preparing the meal. And those just sitting and watching television. If you place those photos side by side in your album, you might just see your couch potatoes in the kitchen next year.
Get Outside
Yes, it might be dark and cold, but a photo from the yard will add some variety to your holiday pics, remind people who hosted the event, and tell folks what weather your guests battled that day to arrive at your home. Try taking holiday lights, step back to take the whole house, or just the front door. To welcome your guests, decorate your entrance: put a welcoming plant next to the door, or hang a swag over the doorway.
Take Some Light
Candlelight makes an especially pretty picture for your album. Try creating a mini tablescape for your photo, by placing a candle next to one or two symbols of the holiday. Light the candle and slowdown to take your photo. This time of year, light represents hope, peace, and the warmth of your gathering.
Say Thanks Again
If there was an especially favorite dish, consider sending the recipe and photo of the dish in the thank you card (or email) that you send to your guests. You could also send this to those who couldn’t make it to your gathering.
Stay tuned…in our next blog we will provide tips on getting full use out of your digital camera. Remember, take our survey and you can save 20% on your order!
By Nicole Gallant
Creative Director
Photagio
www.photagio.com
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