First time Christmas Card shot

SimpsonBrothers

C&C Please! This is a first for me, so please tell me what to do better next time.

Canon 40D
Phoenix 19-35mm
580EX bounced backward 45* to ceiling

Allen

Keep in mind what size/type card this is going one. This ratio might not fit
and need some cropping. Otherwise it is a very nice photo. Also think it would
be better to change the text to family name and not business.

Bend The Light

I like it, and I like the (intentional?) symmetry of the tree and the Double Bass.
Very nice...I think I should have a look at doing this sort of thing, but it seems a bigger thing in the US than in the UK.

I assumed the watermark wouldn't be on the card, anyway.

tropico

I am not a pro, but I don't like the stocking sticking out of the girls head. (the girl in the top left corner)

I also find the guitar next to the Christmas tree distracting.
It is almost like there is so much going on in the photo that the focus is taking away from the family.

fionalornephotography

Far too busy, and I know the girls could have tucked their hair a little neater so they're perhaps a bit more recognizable (bottom right, I'm looking at you). Otherwise, it's very warmly done, I would have just preferred a more neutral background.

jiro

This is just my "wild" suggestion - I am assuming that most of them are musicians (the upright bass, the mandolin, guitar at the back...) I'll probably take out the seats, and let them handle the instruments while standing beside the Christmas tree. This would mean you will shoot in a vertical frame mode with a tight crop. If you want to shoot in landscape you might need a wide angle lens since the room is a bit tight. That is just my idea to add some "taste" into the image. I also play guitar that's why I want to highlight them playing the instruments.

mrlassiter

It's a group portrait, try to have them all wearing complimentary colors, or shades of the same color, or hell even the same color... my .02

-mrlassiter

OffTopic

I don't usually do people so I won't comment on that
but I think the venetian blinds are what's causing the distraction. Without using a formal backdrop I think the addition of some simple soft drapes in a color that closely matches the walls would really pull things together (it's a great color to go with Christmas portraits...red, green and gold) and make the subject standout from the background better if you are going to use this nook as a photo location in the future.