We make our own Christmas cards.

It started when my first set of twins were six months old. It was just a simple head and shoulders shot of the two of them. One in red and the other in green.

It was such a hit with everyone that it started a tradition and every year around October, I start to think up ideas and plan for our annual Christmas photo shoot.

Ever done one?

Perhaps they are too daunting, especially if you have little ones.

Maybe you don’t know where to start.

My post today is all about tips and tricks to achieve the perfect shoot. Even if you have bucket loads of children.

I can feel your stress levels rising at the thought but stick with me.

The Christmas Photo Shoot can be fun!

Tips, starting with the most important…

If you have little ones, make sure they are well rested, well fed and not thirsty.

• Tired cranky kids equals a difficult situation in anyone’s book.
• It may mean changing their nap time or letting them have a favourite food or drink. All these things help towards keeping the ‘stars of the show’ happy.

Give everyone plenty of time to get used to the idea.

• This year, I not only have toddlers but I have (almost) teenagers as well. Funnily enough, both parties needed lots of time to accept that it was that time of the year again. The two ten year olds took it in stride!

Encourage input.

As my children have gotten older, I have asked them if there is anything they wanted or if they had any ideas for the Christmas card. Last year, Immy came up with the idea of ‘angels in my garden’ and I ran with it. She was really pleased that it was her idea we used.

I also find that if the kids have a say, they are more likely to participate.

For example, this year is based on a super hero theme. I knew I would be pushing it to have the eldest boy dress up in a cape and a mask, so I let him (and all the others) choose the colours they wanted.

He chose black.

Okay, so not my first choice but after the cape was made, he readily put it on, along with his mask!

Keep it short.

• The longer a shoot takes, the less interested all parties become.
• If kids become bored, they muck around, fight, don’t listen properly and generally do their own thing.
• The younger your children, the shorter the photo session should be.

It’s always good to have an assistant.

Dave is always behind the scene. He helps to set up the shot, makes sure the kids are safe while I’m taking individual pictures and generally makes a fool of himself when I’m trying to get the group shots.

(A dancing Daddy is very very funny, and if he can bust his moves at the right level, you will get all the kids laughing and looking in the same direction!)

It’s a Christmas shoot, make it a celebration!

• Try music.
• Have lollies.
• Talk about presents and Santa, if you are that way inclined.
• Most of all have fun!

As the kids were being super heroes, we set up a step ladder for them to jump off. We put mattresses at the base, set up the shot and let them go for it. They had so much fun that when I had finished taking photos they just kept on going.

Have a variety of pictures.

Some posey shots are nice but the spontaneous photos add interest and give a feeling of frivolity.

It’s good to have a mix.

Here are some of our themes and ideas from previous years:

• Dressing up as Mary – ‘Have a Mary Christmas’.
• Dressing up as Elves
• Angels (It must be close to Christmas, there are angels in my garden).
• Naughty or nice – this was a great one for the kids to decide. They chose whether they would write naughty or nice on their poster and then acted accordingly for the photo.
• Beach shots are great if you are in a warmer climate for Christmas. We bought green and red swimmers, buckets and spades, topped it off with Santa hats and clicked away as the kids played.

This years theme:

• Super heroes. ‘We hope you have a SUPER Christmas’!

Your Christmas Photo Shoot can be a wonderful way to herald the season. If you relax and enjoy the process, it can be a great way to spend time with your family too.

I would love to hear all about your Chrissy card photos, ideas and if the photo session was good, bad or even ugly.

Oh, and good luck for this year’s shoot!

When Tiff isn’t sprouting photography tips, she is blogging about life with seven little Australians over at Three Ring Circus.