Kris Barnes takes photos of kids for a living. But she doesn't take her own children's pictures. She hires someone else to do that.

Getting the best holiday photos can be tricky, from lighting to the background to facial expressions. Or in Barnes' case, getting her children to listen.

Barnes, of Monument, is the district manager for the Kiddie Kandids stores in Colorado, including the store at the FlatIron Crossing mall in Broomfield.

"It's not as easy to take your own pictures. My kids don't listen to me as well as they listen to others," Barnes says, with a laugh. "Parents are the ones to tell them, 'No.' We're the discipline. At Kiddie Kandids, they have fun. They make it easy for them to have great face expressions because they're the 'fun people.'"
Not to mention it takes a load off for the parents to have some help. And if mom and dad are relaxed, the kids relax, Barnes says.

Photographers and portrait studios say the stretch between Thanksgiving and Christmas is one of the busiest times of year. Kiddie Kandids reports a 50 percent spike in business, on average, with some stores topping a 100 percent increase. That's why they recommend getting in now, before the rush.

Many people like to send photo greeting cards around the holidays, or give photo gifts, such as calendars, framed portraits, mugs or T-shirts. Businesses continue to come out with new products to make with photos. Kiddie Kandids makes photo tiles, plates and ornaments. Discountphotogifts.com makes photo DVDs, playing cards, puzzles and watches. Personalcreations.com makes photo throws, golf balls and doormats.

For others, like Dia Nicholson, the fall marks the time of year to"People like to show people who they are and what they're doing. It's a part of who we are."

Daniel Hirsh, a West End Photographer employee, takes an annual picture of her family of five children.

"We have one from every year," she says. "I am looking at one in the playroom on the wall. It makes my heart soar every time I look at it."

Nicholson, of Boulder, says she does it to "mark the year" and the children's growth. She also sends out about 160 smaller prints to friends and family with holiday greetings, she says.

She used to have a friend take the pictures and then graduated to hiring an amateur photographer. This year, she found a professional. Her two oldest children are graduating high school and college and will be leaving town, so she felt like this year was important to document.

The biggest obstacle for family pictures is getting the kids on board, Nicholson says. Especially because one of her children is shy and tends to bury her face when a camera comes out.

"I like to give them plenty of warning and tell them what it's going to be like," Nicholson says. "I let them pick out what they want to wear."

One year, the dog joined the portrait. Her daughter's baby doll was in the line-up for two years.

"I don't care, if that makes her happy and relax," Nicholson says.

Nicholson prefers casual and candid shots in black and white that capture the moment and attitude.

Black and white and sepia tones are big this year, according to Daniel Hirsh, with West End Photographer, the Boulder business scheduled to take Nicholson's family pictures later this month. Also popular: metallic paper and printing photos on a canvas wrapped around a stretcher frame.

He recommends wearing solid-colored clothing, and bringing props with personal sentiment. He says he has taken photos on chair lifts at ski resorts, in a hot air balloon and of people doing yoga.

"People like to show people who they are and what they're doing. It's a part of who we are," Hirsh says. "To get that portrait that really shows who someone is, that's tough."

As is getting the perfect smile. But that's his job, he says. And as for how?

"I don't want to give my secrets away," Hirsh says.

Contact Camera Staff Writer Aimee Heckel at 303-473-1359 or heckela@dailycamera.com.