How to Take Better Holiday Pictures

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Hold Still! 9 Ways to Take Way Better Holiday Photos Than You Did Last Year

Expert tips for capturing your kid's cuteness this holiday season. (10 Photos)

Ylonda Caviness and Erika Rasmusson Janes on Nov 23, 2011 at 12:41AM

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a Ylonda Caviness and Erika Rasmusson Janes on Nov 2, 2009 at 11:21PM

Wouldn't it be great to capture a photo of your kids at their most charming selves? Why must they play the "Scaaawy Monster" game the minute you get them dressed in holiday velvet? Photographing your kid -- or at least, doing it well -- is a game of skill and patience. Here are the rules:

Set the Stage
Consider the backdrop: Inside photos can be lovely, but if weather permits, take advantage of natural light in the early morning or late afternoon hours. Professionals, like Sherrie Nickol -- a New York portrait expert who specializes in children's photography -- call it the “golden” time of day because of its flattering softness.

Another reason to head outdoors: "Kids feel more at ease in a natural environment that they're familiar with, as opposed to being constricted in a studio," says Michael Kormos, of Michael Kormos Photography in Queens, NY. "It brings out their genuine nature."

If you are taking an indoor shot, go near a bright window. Use the flash only as a last resort.

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