Frugal Family Portrait Ideas

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I LOVE taking picture, but by no stretch am I savvy with photography. Professional family portraits can look great, but they don't come cheap. However, with digital technology it's now very possible, and affordable for you to take wonderful family photos and turn them into unique portraits yourself.

Brush up on the basics of digital photography. Then come back here to get some great family portrait ideas.

• Keep it casual and relaxed. No need to pose everyone stiffly for a family portrait. Plan to take your portrait at the family picnic, or during any event where the family will be together. Let everyone know you intend on taking a group photo so there's no outrageous wardrobe.
• Go for more than just that "one shot". Setting up for that "one shot" and having everyone say "cheese" usually gets you a cheesy photo. Instead start shooting as soon as everyone gathers into place. Have everyone look at you, then look away from the camera. Since you're shooting your family keep the mood light, and fun so that you increase your chances of capturing genuine smiles.
• Outdoor lighting is best. Since I'm no pro, I find the nicest pics I take of my kids are taken outdoors. I don't have to worry about flash. Just make sure the sun is not directly overhead or in anyone's eyes to cause squinting. Outdoor family portraits are my favorite.

• Position yourself for the best shot possible. Even if that means taking your camera in precarious places. The camera I took into the pool to get this great shot of my kids on vacation was NOT waterproof. Totally worth the risk.
• Set up a background that's easy to work with. If you need to take your portrait indoors and you aren't happy with your background options, use a sheet behind the group in a neutral color that will be easy to downplay with editing.
• Don't be afraid to blur the background. The point of family portrait is to capture your family, so if the background is too much of a distraction diffuse it or soften it so that it's not such a prominent part of the picture.
• Use relaxed family portrait poses. Clever fun poses are great. Try taking a portrait with everyone in their Halloween costume, or gathered on the floor in front of the Christmas tree. A group picture at the pool party can be a great summer time portrait.
• Include the family pet. Beloved family pets make great additions to family portraits. Don't forget grandparents. I'm very thankful for the pictures I have of my mom with my kids, especially since she's now passed.
• Use some free software to make your portraits pop! There is some really good photo editing software that you can download for free that can help you make a good photo into a great portrait. Picasa is Googles totally free photo editor. It's extremely user friendly and allows you to make simple fixes, crop or add special effects.

There is some good free software available that you can either download or use online to get really creative and come up with some striking family portrait ideas.

Picnik: Awesome, online photo editing. Picnik gives you tools and inspiration for great family portrait ideas, all for free with no download required.

This spontaneous snapshot of my son was taken at the airport after our Disney vacation.

I cropped away as much of the background as I could, then softened the edges so it wouldn't distract from him and his Pooh, the obvious focal point of the photo.

Shape Collage: Free collage maker download that lets you use your photos to create collages in all kinds of fun shapes.

Free Photo Collage: Create creative collages and simple graphics using your own photos. Free download.

Want a place to store and/or show off your photos? Try Flickr.com, or Photobucket.com to store and share your photos, all for free!