Two Simple Tricks for Better Thanksgiving Family Photos

Thanksgiving is one of the rare days when you might actually have the whole family in one place. Grandparents, kids, cousins, and a few relatives you see maybe twice a year. Sooner or later, someone says, "Hey, we should get a picture of everybody!"

And that's when the trouble starts.

I've been photographing families for a long time, and nothing beats having a professional create your family portrait. But I also know that's not always realistic on Thanksgiving afternoon, when dinner is over, everyone is full, and Uncle Bob is already drifting off on the couch. The good news is that two simple things will dramatically improve your chances of getting a photo you'll actually want to keep.

1. Bring a Tripod. Seriously.

If you only take one piece of advice from this article, make it this one.

Think about the last time your family tried to take a group photo. Everyone gathers together, somebody pulls out a phone, and then comes the inevitable question: "Who's going to take it?" Somebody always volunteers, which means that person isn't in the picture. Or you take turns photographing different combinations of people, and somehow never end up with a single photo of everyone together. The whole point of a family photo is to remember who was there, and that includes whoever is holding the camera.

The fix is easy. Bring a tripod. It doesn't have to be fancy, and inexpensive compact ones made for smartphones work just fine. Just make sure it has a phone holder and is tall and sturdy enough to do the job. You can even find a phone holder that can be added to your existing tripod like the one in this example. Some even come with a bluetooth remote.
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Set up your phone, arrange the family, and use the camera's built-in timer so you have time to run into position. If you have an iPhone, an Apple Watch can even serve as a remote shutter, so you don't have to sprint back and forth like you're in a sitcom.

The key is planning ahead. Don't wait until Thanksgiving afternoon to discover that the only person who knows how to work the camera is also supposed to be in the photo. Put a tripod on your packing list. You'll thank me later.

2. Find the Good Light Before You Pick the Background

Here's another mistake I see all the time. Somebody decides the family should be photographed in front of the fireplace because it's such a pretty spot. There's just one problem: the lighting is terrible.

Maybe there's a big window behind everyone, which turns your family into a row of dark silhouettes. Or the only light is coming straight down from overhead, leaving deep shadows under everyone's eyes. Neither one is going to make Grandma happy when she sees the picture.

When you're choosing where to take the photo, look for the best light first and worry about the background second. If you're indoors, position everyone so a window is in front of them or slightly off to one side. That gives you much softer, more flattering light than a bright window behind the group. And don't overlook the backyard. A covered porch or a shady spot outside can be a wonderful place for a family photo, assuming the weather cooperates. Soft, even light is your friend.

You may have your heart set on that fireplace. If the light is bad there, let it go. Nobody looking at the picture later is going to wonder what was behind you. They'll be looking at the faces.

One Last Thing

Don't overthink it. Get everyone together, find some decent light, and put the phone on a tripod. Take plenty of shots, because there's a very good chance somebody blinked in at least a few of them. And make sure everyone is in the picture, including you.

A Thanksgiving snapshot isn't going to replace a thoughtfully made professional portrait. They're two different things, and both have their place. But that simple photo of everyone crowded together might turn out to be one of your favorites, especially once getting all those people in one room gets a little harder.

Happy Thanksgiving!

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