Christmas Photo Ideas

[speedneeder]

Hello everyone!
I have been requested to shoot some 'Christmas Photos' of my niece and nephew when they visit for Thanksgiving. I'm looking for some ideas!
The goal will be to make a wonderful portrait of each kid, them together, and maybe even a family photo (all 4 of them).
The family is supposed to bring some 'outfits' for the kiddos.....
I'm getting fairly comfortable with lighting, though still struggling with...
I'm a little stuck on backdrop ideas - I always struggle with this with my beige walls and beige carpet :\
I could always get a red or green or similar type cloth from Hobby Lobby. Any other ideas?
As for props, I have thought of the usual santa hats, candies, garland, ornaments, xmas stockings, and/or christmas lights.

I know this is a little vague, but this is what I have to go on and where I'm at.

Thanks in advance for any ideas/suggestions.

[Colin Southern]

Perhaps photograph them with something that's meaningful to them eg Aunt Betty with her knitting needles, nephew John with his air rifle etc. Nothing too complicated, just an interesting background - good lighting etc. This is one I took of my Mum - My sister - my sisters daughter - and my sisters daughter's daughter. Nothing fancy - no "loop lighting" - no kicker lights - no makeup ... but they loved it.

[speedneeder]

Was this done with light on a stick?
I'm working on a ghetto version

[Colin Southern]

Was this done with light on a stick?
I'm working on a ghetto version

Hi Brian,

I had a couple of 580EX IIs firing into a shoot-through umbrella on a boom arm/light stand to camera right, but not hard to concoct something just as effective very simply.

[speedneeder]

Colin, I have an umbrella and a stick, now a 580 and a 430 that I'm sure I can rubber band together
I need to test my 60D wireless commander function outdoors - it actually worked pretty well indoors when tested last night

[Colin Southern]

Colin, I have an umbrella and a stick, now a 580 and a 430 that I'm sure I can rubber band together
I need to test my 60D wireless commander function outdoors - it actually worked pretty well indoors when tested last night

Hi Brian,

- Just the single 580 will probably be fine for fill flash.

- The normal Canon comms can get tricky with umbrellas, although if it's a transculent, you'll probably have more luck. If in doubt, just get a dirty great big long PC cable

[speedneeder]

Yes, one would probably do fine, but i want to try using two! There are some advantages...

[FrankMi]

I have been requested to shoot some 'Christmas Photos' of my niece and nephew when they visit for Thanksgiving. I'm looking for some ideas!

Hi Brian, I did a search for "family christmas photos ideas" and found thousands of family picture taking idea photos to select from. Might give you some additional thoughts on what might work for you.

[speedneeder]

Thank goodness for google!
I looked at several on yahoo as well, thanks Frank.