Lasting Images for the Holidays!
One of our favorite family portraits this season!
Creating Lasting Memories: Photography Tips for the Holiday Season
As the holiday season approaches, there's something magical about freezing moments that tell our most cherished stories. At Lasting Images, we believe that a truly exceptional portrait is more than just a photograph—it's a window into your life, a touchstone that grows more important with each passing year.
Sam with her Samantha doll under the tree.
While professional portraits capture the most stunning representations of your family and loved ones, there are a few techniques you can use to create meaningful images at home. Let’s make this your best year yet for taking great pictures of family and friends:
That beautiful, diffused window light is perfect for this portrait of two cousins. Getting close ensures no distractions in the background. So does shooting this from a slightly higher angle.
1. Embrace Natural Light: Position your subjects near a large window during the day. Soft, diffused natural light creates the most flattering and warm portraits. Avoid harsh overhead lighting that can create unflattering shadows. In the image below, there are two big windows behind my dad and facing my son providing great light to fill in the shadows and light the center of interest—the chess game.
My Dad, teaching one of my sons how to play chess.
2. Focus on Connection: The most powerful portraits capture genuine emotion. Encourage natural interactions—have family members tell stories, share a laugh, or engage in a beloved activity. These candid moments reveal the true essence of your relationships. Get closer, remove distractions from the background, if possible, but focus on the storytelling. Expression trumps everything. That means laughter, surprise, excitement, and the wonder of the season mean more than getting every detail perfect.
The image below is one from Jeff’s childhood. It’s over forty years old and taken on a point and shoot film camera, so the overall quality of the image is poor. His siblings are crowded around to see what he’s opening, there’s wrapping paper everywhere, and this will not be hanging on anyone’s wall, but it’s a precious moment of delight made more important now that his mom is no longer with us. This was her most favorite time of the year and she tried hard to make it wonderful for her kids.
Jeff’s mom worked so hard to make Christmas special for her kids. I wonder what he got??
3. Don’t forget to include YOU: Buy an inexpensive cellphone tripod and set the timer on your phone camera so you can be in some of the photos you take. It’s easy to forget to be a part of your family moments if you’re always the one taking pictures. This year, ask several people to capture images from your important events and share them in a group album that everyone can collaborate on.
That Christmas when we went snowmobiling in Yellowstone in zero-degree weather…I’m in the picture!
These sweet friends have a beautiful portrait from their high school years to keep forever!
4. Take portraits with your friends and print them! I loved the example of one of my friends who has a shelf in her home filled with small, framed prints of special moments with her friends from trips, birthday lunches, hikes, or just a day when she remembered to do it. It’s amazing how important our friends are to us, and how often we miss having those fun times printed and enjoyed. A client arranged for me to do a professional portrait of her with her besties. It was such a fun event, and they went all out with hair and makeup, gorgeous dresses, and a reason to celebrate their friendship with dinner afterwards! Another client arranged a session for her daughter’s best friends from high school. She realized that these moments pass and are gone before we know it, and she wanted to remember them.
5. Don’t forget your guest room: I print images (from studio sessions or my phone) of guests who are coming to visit and place them in a small picture holder that can easily be updated. I let the guests know that they can take the prints home with them as well. What better way to show your loved ones that they’re important to you and you’re excited to see them! Here’s a link to a print holder like the one I have in my guest room: Photo Holder for Guest Room
Have a special occasion coming up? Black Label Portraits make great gifts! So do amazing shoes like these…*chef’s kiss*
Beyond the Snapshot: Professional Portraiture is a Gift of Love
This holiday season, consider the gift that truly keeps on giving—a portrait that will be treasured for generations. Our studio offers unique portrait experiences tailored to your vision:
- Black Label: Our luxury portrait line creates stunning, timeless images that elevate your family's story
- Reflections: Lifestyle portraits that capture individuals with their passions, places, and personalities
- In-studio and On-location Portraits: Timeless images of you, your family, children, grandchildren, or beloved pets
- Legacy: Intimate video interviews that preserve family histories and personal narratives
- Professional Branding: Exceptional portraits for business professionals and entrepreneurs
This beautiful portrait of a beloved child is an absolute treasure.
The Perfect Holiday Gift
Looking for a meaningful present that goes beyond material possessions? Our gift cards are the perfect solution. Give the gift of memory-making—a professional portrait session that your loved ones will cherish forever.
Whether you're seeking a family portrait, a personal branding shoot, or a legacy video interview, we're dedicated to creating images that tell your unique story. This holiday season, let us help you capture the moments that matter most.
Book your session today or contact us to purchase a gift card for a future session! Transform your memories into timeless art from your life.
Investing in Your Family's Story
When you choose to create a family portrait, you're not just buying a picture – you're investing in your family's history. You're saying, "This moment, these people, this love – it all matters." In a world where so much is fleeting and digital, a beautifully framed portrait on your wall serves as a daily reminder of what's truly important.
Don't let another year go by without documenting your family's journey. Contact us today to schedule your session and start creating your family's visual legacy. At Lasting Images Photography, we don't just take pictures – we preserve your most important memories of your most important people.