Capture your 2015 holiday picture on summer vacation

Every year, your friends and family members that live too far away to see regularly want more than a written update about your life. They want to see how you've changed and how the kids have grown. That's why photos are popular to send out with greeting cards. In fact, some families opt to turn their picture into the actual cover for the holiday cards. If you wait until the winter season rolls around to snap the photograph, you're limited on lighting, resources and time. It will more than likely be too cold to pose long enough to capture the perfect picture outside, so you'll be stuck with fluorescent lights and natural gloom. The warm, sunny weather of summer provides a great opportunity for the family picture. Take advantage of the scenic vacation backgrounds for your Christmas card photo with these tips:

1. Coordinate clothes
What you wear plays a big part in the quality of your photo. By coordinating clothes, you effectively make the picture look cohesive, and you demonstrate that your family is a unit. Choose something that reflects your style as a family. For example, matching jerseys would be a fun idea for a family that's always racing off to soccer or baseball practice. On the other hand, dark or neutral colors provide a sophisticated look for a more formal picture.

Additionally, instead of matching all of the outfits head to toe, give everyone some wiggle room by assigning an overlaying color theme. The different hues of the same color will coordinate, but family members will be able to show off their unique personality in their wardrobe choices. However you choose to express your family's style, avoid extreme colors, graphic prints and logos, suggests the Digital Photography School. Staying away from clothing with these elements will allow you to more easily experiment with filters.

2. Be natural in nature
If you're snapping your picture on summer vacation, you are probably already in a carefree mindset, which is a great attitude for taking photos. Instead of standing rigidly and saying "cheese," show a more natural feel. Laugh with your family, tell a funny story, jump, hold hands – do something out of the ordinary to showcase your emotions. Let the kids be goofy and have fun so you can capture their real smiles. The candid actions are better for embodying the intimacy of your family, and they are more entertaining than standing in a stringent line. To have more freedom with your poses, use a tripod and set a timer on your digital camera.

3. Select the right location
Outdoor lighting can make a picture look stunning, but the glare of the sun can also be a real problem. Make sure that the sun is not directly shining in your eyes because it could cause your family to squint in the picture. Additionally, standing in front of the sunset won't provide the most ample lighting, and this position will create a silhouette look. Instead, make sure the sun is to the side of your family or directly above when snapping the photo.

Your surroundings are also an important factor when selecting a location. Try choosing a place that isn't very crowded. You don't want a random passerby in your picture, and trying to work around other people can make the process time consuming and frustrating. Instead, choose an open, secluded area as the background for your photo. Summer vacations typically provide a lot of scenic opportunities, so take advantage of a beautiful beach, bold rocks, open mountainsides or grassy lawns. The natural setting will match the more organic, candid poses.

By using these tips, you can capture an incredible photo for your holiday greeting card.