Ah, the ubermom’s annual quest for the perfect holiday photo. (Some of us have been accused of pursuing this each year more relentlessly than Indiana Jones pursued the Holy Grail… and possibly more fruitlessly). To make that quest a less burdensome item on your never-ending year-end list, we turned to Executive Moms’ official photographer Cathy Pinsky for some really smart tips…
   
How (and Where and When) to POSE Them:

You don’t have to go all the way to cute matching sweaters… but a little clothing coordination can indeed help create a better photo. Skip big prints and stripes, and opt for a single or corresponding solid color palette to unify what everyone wears and create more visual impact. Look for interesting textures in your background to enhance your picture. Shooting in a city environment, a cobblestone street is particularly photogenic. If you are in a more tree-lined locale and want to capture the fall foliage, the key is to keep the foliage distantùand then zoom in on your subjectùthe blurred effect will be the most dramatic. If you can pick the time of day, aim for the “magic hour” (as film directors call it); that time late in the day when the sun is low in the sky and casts that gorgeous light. (Of course, this time of the year, that means around 4:00 or even a bit earlier). If saying, “say cheese!” isn’t getting you the 3 perfect smiles in a row you’re desperately seeking… consider delegating the shooting duties to another adult, like a friend or relative, who may (momentarily) command the attention of the kids a little better. Most importantly, know that timing the “click” is everythingùtry getting the kids to shout an unexpected, laugh-inducing phrase like “mashed potatoes!” but DON’T click when they do… WAIT for that moment a moment or two later, when the exuberant shouts settle into the natural grins you really want.

How to SHOOT Them:

Don’t rely on your camera’s judgment about when to flash– if you’re shooting outside, you should in fact turn your flash on. Doing so helps brighten everyone’s complexion and will help make the colors of fall really “pop.” Another slightly counterintuitive tip: try cupping your hands over the top of the lens to shade it, and then shoot INTO the sun – this keeps the people in your photo from squinting… AND you can get really gorgeous highlights around their hair and shoulders. If you do shoot inside and have an adjustable flash, try bouncing the flash off the ceiling (if the ceiling is white). This technique works wonders in softening up the environment and giving a warm quality to the photos. (It also looks great with black and white shots). An obvious yet not-so-obvious tip for digital camera users: always set the camera for the highest resolution. (Most people leave their cameras on the lower setting to get the maximum number of shots… but in this case, opt for quality over quantity). One more tip if you’re printing these photos yourself: make sure you choose “photo paper” in your printer’s print dialog box. This one little fix can make an enormous difference û without it, your printer will go to its default setting for plain paper, causing prints to look very washed out!

 And if all this doesn’t help you channel your inner Annie Liebowitz…

...we are always fans of outsourcing. There are many wonderful professional photographers who have built unique portfolios specializing in child and family portraits, so look for one that suits your style. If you are in the New York area, Executive Moms’ official photographer, Cathy Pinsky of Pinsky Studio, can arrange to come to your home or meet you in the setting of your choice. Her approach is to shoot digitally in color û which gives the option of keeping it that way or converting to black and white – a popular choice for holiday photos.

AND, an Executive Moms EXCLUSIVE: Pinsky Studio will also include a complimentary headshot portrait of the Executive Mom herself. Packages start at $500; printing can be done as well. and she can arrange to get all the printing done for you as well. Make sure you mention Executive Moms when you call to take advantage of this offer.

Find out more at pinskystudio.com
 
   
Now For Your Next Best Click: RSVP for the Executive Moms Holiday Rap and Wrap– Just 2 Weeks From Today

It’s the perfect multi-taskers’ opportunity to “rap” and “wrap” up your holiday shopping with ease… PLUS, we keep adding new ways to enable you to come up a serious winner! RSVP TODAY for November 17th and you will also have chance to WIN some of this year’s hottest toys from Toys ‘R Us’ Joy List… and a grand prize Caribbean Family Vacation to an all-inclusive Beaches Resort!

Learn more and RSVP now at www.executivemoms.com
 
   
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