5 Ways To Avoid Holiday Photo Fails

The holidays can be a high pressure time of year. Challenges seem to be all around us, from desperately searching for the perfect gifts, to putting up with the in-laws and keeping screaming children in check. With so many things to consider, it’s no surprise that many family holiday photos end up sub-par. That’s why we here at CyberLink have decided that 2014 is going to be the year of holiday photo wins! We’ve consulted with the experts and pulled together a cheat sheet with strategies to guide you down the path to holiday photo success and alleviate pesky seasonal stress. 

HOW TO GET THE PERFECT HOLIDAY FAMILY PHOTO:

Tip #1

Plan in Advance and Edit, Edit, Edit!: Group shots can involve quite a bit of coordination – whether it’s finding matching (ugly) sweaters or trying to get the kids to stay still and stop crying – the perfect shot is never as easy as it looks. Find a comfortable location with good lighting to make sure everyone will fit and be noticed. Take plenty of photos to increase your odds of getting a perfect shot. If that still doesn’t work the right editing software can help stitch together the best faces from each shot into one image that will trick your friends into thinking you have the perfectly behaved family.

Tip #2

Abide by the Rule of Thirds: This is an oldie but goodie! The rule of thirds can be helpful in most circumstances and suggest that an image be divided into nine equal parts by two equally spaced horizontal and vertical lines and is usually just a tap away on a smartphone or point-and-shoot camera. The important elements of your shot should be placed at the intersections of the lines for an ideal composition. Experts recommend filling the frame as much as possible with the kids, grandma or the holiday ham – anything to minimize a distracting background will help keep focus on the subject
you want.

Tip #3 

Keeping Up with the Candid Moments: For those of us claiming to live reality show worthy lives, candid photos are often the most memorable and easily captured on a smartphone. Tricks like burst mode can be found on most devices and it’s perfect for catching the spontaneous moments your family will be talking about for years to come! The pros suggest staying away from the zoom though, as it can dilute the final image. If you’re trying to capture a candid, don’t be afraid to jump right into the moment and take a
close up!

Tip #4

Set Up a Selfie Station: You shouldn’t have to do all the work this year! Set up a smartphone tripod so users can take photos throughout your holiday gatherings and you won’t have to spend the entire time running around making sure everyone is accounted for. This way guests can take stable and high-quality candid shots and you have some surprise photos when all is said and done.

Tip #5 

Invest in Quality Photo Editing Software: At the end of the day, we all have to admit we aren’t perfect. Quality photo editing software can help clear up any imperfections as a result of a bit too much eggnog or rambunctious kids that end up a blur. These can help adjust the exposure, color and so much more in a way that just can compare with a simple Instagram filter.

Since a little laughter can always help to make the season bright, we recommend that after you’ve absorbed our tips for photo success, and before you get your kids all spruced up to take their annual photos with Santa, you head over to BuzzFeed where we have pulled together even more photography motivation for with a gallery of unfortunate yet humorous photos with Santa gone wrong.

Now that you’re ready to master holiday photography, it’s time to grab your camera, rally the troops, and start snapping candid gems! Remember that the most essential element of holiday spirit is enjoying time with your loved ones and sharing festive events filled with cheer. If you can capture a few of the most joyous moments to last through the ages, that is even better.

Want even more photo tips? We will be releasing new tips and tricks to help you obtain holiday photo and video perfection on Facebook Page throughout the holiday season, and hosting a contest where you can enter to win our PhotoDirector or PowerDirector software each week. To get in on the action simply share the tips you see tagged #CyberLinkHoliday with your friends and family. To ensure you don’t miss any tips, “LIKE” our page today. After all, sharing photo and video tips is a great way to share the love inherent to this season!

“LIKE” CyberLink on Facebook here to keep up with our tips and tricks: https://www.facebook.com/cyberlink

Having problems installing? Have a question about product features? Need technical support? Send email to Ben_Hall@cyberlink.com.