Guest Post: How to Take Perfect, Timeless Family Photos by Carol Tuttle

It's that DREADED season- planning the Holiday Photo, aka the Christmas Card photo.

Ah the importance of the ONE photo that relatives and friends far an wide will see of your family, and either laugh hysterically at, or smile and put on the fridge.....Carol has some excellent ideas to bring peace and harmony to this year's photo 'session (we reviewed her book The Child Whisperer this past weekend)

You’ve seen those awkward, dated, family photos.

Will your photo this year look that way next year?

Use these tips for timeless family photos:

1. Ditch the matching outfits

Want to know the real reason your old photos look dated?

Most family photos are coordinated around an outfit or color scheme, rather than the people in the photo. Let family members express their true style (see outfit tips below).

2. Create actual smiles

Photo time is stressful for a lot of families.

Cut the stress and get your pictures taken doing something fun. Make it a blast for the kids and their smiles will be genuine.

3. Understand your children better

You can bring out your family’s best smiles if you understand their nature.

In my work with children, I’ve discovered 4 distinct tendencies that children express in their body language, behavior, and personality.

When you know which Type of energy your child expresses, you better understand how to plan family photos.

Photo Tips for All 4 Types of Children:

• The Fun-loving Child:
Buoyant in nature, these children are socially oriented. They look best in bright colors that pop. Let them run around for 30 seconds every 10 minutes, to break it up.

• The Sensitive Child:

Gentle in nature, these children are emotionally oriented. They look best in soft, muted colors and comfy styles. Bright sunlight can hurt their sensitive eyes, so encourage them to close them between shots.

• The Determined Child:
Swift in nature, these children are physically oriented. They look best in rich, jewel colors. Their nature is to get things going and get them done.Let them help with the other kids, encourage them to stand still, and when you’re done, let them share a treat or reward with everyone.

• The More Serious Child:
Straightforward and analytical, these children are intellectually oriented.They look best in bold, pure colors. While they can stand and sit still the longest, they may also be more reserved about photos. They prefer to smile with closed mouths, so don't force them to have big toothy grins.

I teach in depth about these 4 Types in my new book, The Child Whisperer.

Learn more about the 4 Types here: thechildwhisperer.com

Or enter to win a free copy of The Child Whisperer with my One-of-a-Kind family photo contest.

About the Author: Carol Tuttle is the best-selling author of five books and the creator of online learning programs Energy Profiling and Dressing Your Truth.

Carol received her post-baccalaureate training in numerous energy psychology and natural healing methods. For over 20 years, her work in the field of self-help and personal development has helped hundreds of thousands worldwide to improve every aspect of their lives--from money, to health, relationships, fashion, parenting, to overall emotional well-being.

Carol is the mother of five grown children. She and Jonathan, her husband of 32 years, reside in Utah. Carol enjoys the outdoors and loves to challenge herself through competitive tennis and triathlons. Her favorite place in the world, besides home, is the North Shore of Oahu.