20 Thanksgiving Photo Opportunities

It’s almost here!  I love Thanksgiving, and though we are supposed to have a storm of snow here on Thursday (eek! already!) I am looking forward to the meal and the family that will come with it. 

Just as soon as the day arrives, for all our planning and cooking it will be over before you know it…a blur of food, dishes, and laughter.   Of course afterwards we’ll be left with a memory card full of photos to cherish and scrapbook to our heart’s content.  

Here are some not to be missed photo opportunities for whatever size your gathering may be this Thursday.  Be sure to pass the camera around so you get points of view from all guests…. even the little guys (or have a disposable ready for them). 

1. If you’re like me, your house is probably as clean as it has been in awhile when company is a’comin. Take a minute to snap a few pictures of you and yours in the setting before all the extended family comes (and the mess comes back).    
2. The same goes for your front porch and walkway.  Take a pic of what will welcome your guests when they arrive.   
3. Snap a shot of your place setting before you hand off the job of setting the table on the big day.  You took the time to make sure it coordinates and looks pretty, it deserves a photo.

4. Same for your centerpiece, especially if it’s edible!

5. Get a great shot of  the cook in their apron before the crowd arrives and they’re up to their elbows in the mashed potatoes. When they are fresh and un-hurried.

6. Take a photo of guests as soon as they come in the door with their coats still on and their contributing dishes in hand – you’ll get an un-posed shot with a candid smile and genuine “happy to see you look” in their eyes.  

7. When my Father-in-law says grace he always includes “bless this food and the hands that prepared it”.  Consider some close up artsy shots of the cooks hands as they prepare the meal, especially when it comes to rolling out dough.  A photo of an older granparent’s hands preparing bicuits next to a small child’s for example is really precious.

8. When there is a lull in the cooking rush – take advantage of getting some shots outdoors of the whole family.  They’re more likely to cooporate on an empty stomach than later when they just want to just unbutton their pants and flop on the couch.   The outdoors is the best place for the posed extended family shots.

9. Get photos of what your family is doing during the meal prep.  Chatting?  Playing Football?  Snap some candids.  Better yet designate someone to do it for you. 

10. Consider photographing your favorite recipe from start to finish.  A tribute to your genius and great opportunity for a recipe page.

11. Don’t forget the “fur-kids” of the house.  Get pictures of your pets as they interact with your guests and enjoy their Thanksgiving feast.  After all they are family too!

12. Take some posed humor shots of the men slaving away in the kitchen and the women sitting around watching football.  Or sit the grownups at the kids table and vice versa.

13. If you are missing a dearly departed loved one, perhaps take a photo of an empty chair at your table to do a memorial layout about how you miss them during Thanksgiving later.

14. Of course we all take pictures of our meal and the turkey, it’s a must.  See if you can get a little artsy with it this year.  Get close up on the turkey’s crispy golden skin, or first cut a slice of the pie and get close on all the juicy filling.  (I’ve got a secret desire to be a food photographer so these are my favorite to play with)

15. A full shot of the table and its bounty surrounded by the family is a must as well.  Since you must be in this one and will use your camera’s timer.  Consider setting it to take during grace while everyone has their heads bowed and is holding hands. 

16. You normally get up to serve during it anyway, so snap a few shots of everyone enjoying the meal.  Ignore protests about getting pictures of people eating… the shot of Aunt Madge rolling her eyes when she takes that first bite of pie is too priceless not to get.

17. Husbands that do Thanksgiving dishes must always be documented… and we must share this information with others that it does indeed happen!

18. Guests that conk out in the recliner before the dishes are done should be fully aware they’ve become holiday photo material.  If you get away with, put a Santa hat on Dad’s head before you take the picture. 

19. Take plenty of pictures of your after-meal traditions.  Do you get out the tree right away?  Drive around and look at the lights?  Just veg out?  Take lots of pictures of the satisfied crowd.  (See my post on a turkey after-party for some ideas too)

20. And finally, get an excellent self-portrait of you after the guests have gone and the left-overs are put away.  When you scrap it, list everything you were thankful for about the day, from the un-burnt biscuits, to the fact that family was able to come. 

I’ll be signing off for a few days during my own Thanksgiving celebration.  I hope you have a wonderful holiday, and come back again soon.  It will be time for Christmasy Crafts!