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Ultimate Guide: Family Ski Holiday Photos: Tips & Tricks for You

Capturing the perfect family photo in a ski resort is akin to catching snowflakes on your tongue – it's all about being in the right place at the right time with the right technique. Living in La Plagne and navigating its snowy slopes has taught me not just how to ski with my two little adventurers in tow but also how to freeze those fleeting moments of joy and awe against the stunning alpine backdrop.

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Whether you're here in the French Alps or any other snowy paradise, these tips will help you capture those magical family memories with nothing more than the camera you carry in your pocket every day: your smartphone.

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1. Understanding the Light and Landscape

Golden Hour Brilliance: The golden hour, that time just after dawn or before sunset, paints everything gold, casting a warm glow that's perfect for photography. In La Plagne, the way the light dances across the mountains can make for breathtaking photos. Aim for these times to capture the natural beauty of the snow and sky, along with your family's beaming faces.

If you check out the official site for your ski resort, it will tell you what time sunrise and sunset are so you can grab those magical snaps.

Keep the background simple: When the background is as breathtaking as the French Alps, it can be overwhelming! When I say keep it simple, I mean, pick a theme for each photo, so e.g. this photo has trees in the background, this one a chairlift. And so on. Trying to cram all these things into one shot will take away from the focal point e.g. your kids.

Avoid dark shadows: The midday sun can create harsh shadows. In a ski resort, when the sunlight reflection on the snow can be dazzling and really make your photos pop. However, if you have a shadow across a section of the image, it can be quite dramatic, but often it will black out any subjects within the shadow.

If you are shooting at this time, find a spot out of the direct sunlight to avoid the darkest shade and also to avoid squinting and uneven lighting.

Embrace the Landscape: Use the natural landscape to create a stunning composition. The contrast of rugged mountains, serene forests, or the geometric shapes of ski lifts and chalets can add interest and depth to your photos. Remember, the environment around you is as much a character in your family's story as the people.

Look for:

Mountain Vistas: Use the majestic mountains as a backdrop. Position your family with the slopes or peaks behind them. This captures the essence of the ski resort.
Wooded Wonder: Find a spot where trees frame your shot. The contrast of dark trees against the white snow adds depth.
Chairlift Charm: Capture a moment on or in front of a chairlift. It’s quintessentially a ski resort and adds a story to your photo.

2. Mastering the Rule of Thirds

When it comes to taking your ski holiday photography from good to breathtaking, the Rule of Thirds is your secret weapon. This simple yet effective principle of composition can transform your snapshots into professional-looking captures with just a little planning.

Imagine dividing your photo frame into a grid of nine equal sections, three across and three down. This mental (or digital, if you use your camera or smartphone's grid feature) grid is the key to balancing your shots beautifully. Instead of centring your subject in the middle of the frame, try aligning them with one of the grid lines or at the points where the lines intersect.

This technique not only adds an artistic touch to your photos but also brings a sense of harmony and depth. Whether you're capturing the sprawling vistas of La Plagne, a close-up of laughter-filled faces bundled up against the snow, or the dynamic action of a family member swooshing down the slopes, positioning your subjects according to the Rule of Thirds will elevate your images, making them more engaging and visually appealing.

3. Engaging Your Little Ones

Ask their permission: Something I’ve started doing is always asking if I can take their photo. As well as talking about consent – a whole other conversation! – It also helps you get them on board and buy into the photos. Basically, you are giving your kids more control in a situation in which we often take the control away and boss them around!

Make It a Game: Keeping kids engaged and smiling during a photo shoot, especially in the cold, can be a challenge. Turn it into a game or adventure. Who can spot the most skiers from the lift? Can they make the funniest face with the mountain behind them? A little creativity goes a long way in capturing genuine smiles.

Also, if your kids are like mine, sometimes smiles can look strained or more like grimaces! So getting them to pull silly faces or our favourite, is rock & roll faces! They often make for more relaxed, candid shots.

Rewards Work Wonders: A little motivation, like the promise of hot chocolate or their favourite snack, can keep spirits high and their faces smiley. It's a simple trick that turns “one more photo” into an exciting part of the adventure.

4. Dressing for the Camera

Stand Out from the Snow: Wearing bright or contrasting colours can really make your family stand out against the snowy background. Think vibrant reds, blues, or greens. In La Plagne, where the landscape is a mix of pristine white, deep blue skies and forest greens, these colours can really pop, making your photos come alive.

Accessorise Wisely: Think statement pieces, like fun hats, reflective sunglasses, and colourful scarves, not only to keep you warm but also to add a playful element to your photos. Just be mindful of covering faces too much; those expressions are precious!

5. Smartphone Camera Settings for the Snow

iPhone Photography Tips:

HDR Mode: This is the best setting to use if you are uploading to social media. There are higher definitions, like 4K, but video and images often get compressed, and so do loose definitions when you upload them in this format. Use High Dynamic Range (HDR) mode to balance the bright snow and darker landscapes or clothing. HDR takes multiple photos at different exposures and combines them for the best possible shot.
Exposure and Focus: Tap the screen to set your focus point, then slide the little sun icon up or down to adjust the exposure. Brightening the exposure can help make the snow look truly white instead of grey.
Focus on Faces: Make sure your camera focuses on your family's faces, not the background or snow. This might require manually adjusting your focus point.
Live Photos: Use Live Photos to capture those fleeting moments before and after the still photo. These can be precious when you catch the laughter or excitement of your family in motion.
Burst mode: This is a great option for taking action shots. So for example, the kids skiing towards you, or hitting a jump or throwing snow into the air. Using burst mode means you can capture several images per second and then go back and choose the best images from the bunch. Find out how to use burst mode on the ski slopes here.

Android Photography Tips:

Pro Mode: Many Android phones have a Pro or Manual mode that lets you adjust settings like ISO, shutter speed, and white balance. You might want to increase the exposure slightly for snowy scenes to ensure the snow looks white.
Focus Carefully: Like with the iPhone, you can tap to focus on Android. Make sure to focus on a subject that isn't the snow to avoid underexposed photos.
Use Burst Mode: Holding down the shutter button to take multiple photos in quick succession is great for action shots, like skiing or snowball fights. Then, you can pick the best one from the bunch.

6. Capturing Candid Moments and Poses

Action Shots: There's something incredibly genuine about the laughter and concentration caught in action shots. Whether it's skiing down a slope, sledding, or making snow angels, these activities can lead to some of the best photos. I often take videos and then take a still shot from within the video to get the best moment. This doesn’t always work if there is a lot of high-speed action. But it can work really well.

Candid vs. Posed: While posed family shots are a must, candid photos often capture the essence of your ski holiday. Keep your phone handy and be ready to snap those impromptu moments of joy, wonder, and even the occasional snowball fight aftermath.

Get Up Close: One of the dangers is being too far away from the person you are shooting photos of. Then, in the photo they are swallowed up by the mountains and the snowy surroundings. So, get up close and personal with your subject. If they are standing still, this is quite straightforward. If your subject is moving, skiing towards you, for example, take a moment to position yourself close to where the action will be, e.g. a ski carve or turn, the jump, etc.

7. Editing Your Snowy Snapshots

Keep It Simple: While it's tempting to go all out with filters and effects, sometimes less is more. Adjusting the brightness and contrast can be enough to make your photos pop. I try not to edit my photos at all, but it’s because I’m trying to show what the snow and resort conditions around La Plagne are like in real time. So, editing the images often feels deceitful.

If you are looking for photo editing tools, apps like Lightspeed, Snapseed, or even the built-in photo editing tools on your phone offer simple adjustments to enhance your photos subtly.

That's La Plagne & Capturing Family Memories in the Snow

Armed with these tips, your next family ski trip – whether it's here in La Plagne or any snowy locale – will be beautifully documented. Remember, the best family photos are not just about the perfect pose or the perfect lighting; they're about capturing the essence of your adventure together, the laughter, the thrills, and even the spills. So, dress up in your brightest ski gear, keep your smartphone charged and ready, and let the stunning snowscapes be the canvas for your family's winter tales.

See you on the slopes!