Christmas Pictures: How to Take Your own Family Holiday Portrait

Ahhhh…nice to see Chelsea again. 😛

🙂

Then you're my favorite kind of cheap skate 🙂 Thanks for buying the book.

Cesar- I made this video to demonstrate how to build this specific set I used for my client's holiday pictures. It's an easy one to make because it doesn't require a professional studio, just sheers, lights and a little ingenuity.
If you aren't interested in putting up a backdrop you always have the option of a using more natural environment, cheap skate.

Was she on drugs? Haha.

loved the bloopers. makes it seem more down to earth/authentic. also the video itself was very helpful!

I know what you're saying, but I assure you the set can be built for $30. I was shooting clients, so I used my pro lighting which is the only expensive part. You only need $15 worth of sheers (I already had some), a curtain rod to hang them, some white paper to put behind them, and xmas lights (you probably already have those, too). Next, find a place with good natural lighting or use an off-camera flash. You should give it a shot and improvise when needed. I'll call you cheap skate any time 🙂

gotta love the blooper reel!
Nailed it!!!
🙂

Thanks!

BLOOPERS!!! lol Love it! Thank you for the great tips, C! 🙂

I have Canon 5D Mark II, and a canon flash. But still I've problem getting portraits outdoors… Please suggest me something….. And btw do you use Instagram?

holy blooper real..yesss!!!!!

haha great bloopers! Lets you get to know your real personality! Great Ideas I'm most def going to buy the book soon. These little clips are great but they make me wonder what is in the book that I'm missing out on.

But isn't the curtain rail supported by two light stands? That would certainly add to the cost.

Hahaha. Love the bloopers. Great tips, always enjoy your videos and loving the book. 🙂

Some pictures look a little soft on the corners, not as sharp as in the middle.

How would you even notice, since the corners are the backdrop in all the pictures, which we deliberately threw out of focus? Also, the video is much lower resolution than the original pictures.

The lens (a Canon 70-200 f2.8 mk II) is generally considered the sharpest zoom lens ever made, corner to corner.

Good news, we have an entire video on outdoor portraits. It wont let me put the link here, but you can find it in our other videos.
I don't use instagram. It's too cool for me.

the sharpest zoom ever made!!! wow

Lmao! Chelsea's too cute with those bloopers at the end of the video. Keeping it real… I like that.

I'm a bit biased, but I think the book is amazing! 😀

Great video, beautiful host :-}

first i want to thank you guys for posting this videos. they help very much to people like me that i just got my first camera cannon (rebel t3) if its not to much to ask what are the numbers i should use? on manual settings for the my families Christmas portrait..thank you

Unfortunately there's no settings that will work in any situation; it depends on your lens, the size of the group and the light in your room. However, Chelsea & I teach you how to choose the right settings for any situation in our book, "Stunning Digital Photography," chapters 4, 6, and 7. This video is just one of many in the book (more than 3 hours now). Check the links in the description for more info.

I have a speedlite with an umbrella and a 5in1 reflector. which lighting technique would be best with what i have?

Very Cute Ending Chelsea…..good job, nicely done! Thanks for this video…it helps me understand a simple setup. Gives me ideas to take picture of my kids. Txs

I bought your ebook through facebook and I follow your work…Thank you so much for your tutorials! Merry Christmas! 🙂

Thank you, and Merry Christmas!

So happy I could help! 🙂

It's hard to say because I don't know the environment you're taking pictures in. Chapters 3 and 6 have more in depth information on lighting (link in description) and how to work around the various challenges different lighting creates.

Im trying to recreate the scene in the video with the curtains and lights. I have read chapters 3 and 6.

Nice set up. Chelsea is a beauty.

Nice video! spot on information. Good thing I have a calculator with all that talk about " feet" (I'm in Holland). Yoy need quite a long room to do this.
Thanks!!
Steven
(I allready own the book)

Good info! Thank you.

SMART AND BEAUTIFUL!

Haha love the bloopers! Stupid f'ing friends!

Good ideas…thanks for posting.

📷Portrait Gear Recommendations:📷
Beginner ($950 at Amazon): Canon T6i http://help.tc/t6i & Canon 50mm f/1.8 http://help.tc/c50
Better ($3,000 at Amazon): Nikon D610 http://help.tc/d610 & Tamron 70-200 f/2.8 http://help.tc/t200
Best ($5,300) at Amazon: Nikon D810 http://help.tc/d810 & Nikon 70-200 f/2.8E http://help.tc/n200e