Family Portrait Plan

Digital photography is all about giving you control. You can keep the digital photos you want and you print the sizes you want—all without having to worry about sending rolls of film out to be processed or ordering prints in specific sizes. You can do everything from home. For that reason it makes it a lot easier and less time consuming to do projects like taking a family portrait.

Before you set out to create digital portrait photos, however, you should have two things on your digital camera: a tripod and a timer. The Tripod will help keep the camera steady and aimed the right way without human help and the timer on the digital camera will allow you to join your family in the picture. Since you are using a digital camera you can shoot again and again, until it's perfect.

Problems Solved in a Flash

The flash is one feature that comes in handy time and time again—night and low-lit situations would be impossible to capture without it. However, when it comes to digital portrait photography, the flash can actually be the root of some problems.

One top digital disturbance is red eye (this occurs when the flash, camera, and blood vessels of the retina interact in a negative way to cause red eyes in a digital photo). Fortunately, this can be almost fully cured by using the red eye reduction setting on the camera.

*Shiny clothing and reflective jewelry are other things that should be removed from a portrait shoot (this is because these items act like tiny mirrors, causing the flash to act in mysterious ways).

A Self Portrait is a Cinch!

Ok, you got the tripod and the digital camera (with a timer) so now it's self-portrait time. Though, before you rush to snap those digital self portraits you might want to keep these helpful hints in mind to avoid re-shooting again and again:

• Once you know the position the camera will capture you totally in the frame, mark that area (on the floor) with a piece of tape
• Make sure you get a full shot of yourself, consider placing the camera on a 90 degree angle
• Make sure the camera is securely screwed into the tripod before you turn the camera on its side
• Make sure the background is simple so it doesn't detract from your self-masterpiece

‘Tis the Season for Portraits

The best part of digital portraits? Having a digital image. Today, not only can you mount your picture in a classic frame above the fireplace, you can use your family portrait to create presents with your portrait image on them:

• Create family holiday cards
• Design family shirts
• Make screensavers
• Place your family's mugs on coffee mugs

Portraits Can be Child's Play

Kids are cute, loveable, and say the darndest things. However, get them in front of a camera for digital portraits and those little cuties turn into little terrors. They have a hard time sitting still and don't really understand the concept of smiling on cue (especially babies).

When it comes time for picture time make sure everything is set up before the kids get involved. Also, since those perfect, genuine smiles for kids are few and far between, use a fast shutter speed (that way the priceless moment won't be a blur…literally).

Portraits From the Pros

If the idea of doing a family portrait completely on your own makes you feel a bit overwhelmed, head over to one of many digital portrait studios in malls across the country. They're great for many reasons:

• They'll make sure your family stands the right way so no one is cut off in the picture
• They'll have just the right light and background to create the right shot
• Since it's digital, you can see photos in an instant and re-shoot before the little ones get restless