Christmas Card portrait ideas (indoors without a studio)?

Question: Christmas Card portrait ideas (indoors without a studio)!?

I'm taking individual portraits of a family indoors for their Christmas card because it's too cold and snow doesn't usually come until after the holidays!. The family has a propaine-powered fireplace!. I was wondering how I should position the kids, what angle, or even include the fireplace (it might be to distracting)!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

People look best when photographed in a 'chin to eye' ratio!. That mean that the tallest person's chin should be level with the next person's eyes, and so on!. Sometimes it requires different height chairs, or your kids stand while you sit, Sitting on laps!. Anything to get that 'chin to eye' things going on!. also there is something know as the 'feminine head tilt'!. a women tends to tilt her head slightly!. Make sure the tilt is towards the person they are sitting beside!. This will make it appear that they like this person!. The best way to sit in a portrait is to face sideways, then twist the upper part of you body towards the camera, and stick out your head slightly toward the camera, to get rid of a double chin!. Men look best photographed from the chest up, and women from the elbows up!.

If you are using a flash this can make you appear blushish and washed out!. Try a tripod and no flash!. Normal inside lighting will cast a yellow glow which can look warm and cozy if in front of a fireplace!. Outdoors would still be best lighting, imo!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Some cute pictures that I have tried would be to have a cardboard box that is wrapped, and have the kids look like they are jumping out of the box with a ribbon on their head!. Another one is go into a dark room and wrap the child in xmas lights, so that it lights up their faces and such!. One more idea is if you have an extra window you can spray it with that white fake snow stuff and have the kids looking through it!. Good luck!Www@QuestionHome@Com