The extended family is getting together for the holidays. The family photographer whips out the video camera to record the festivities—but his/her previous attempts at rolling tape indicate that the family dog might be a better videographer.

This time, do it right. Professionals rely on certain tricks to make sure footage looks slick, not sloppy. Here are five tips for avoiding shaky, amateurish results.

•Shoot at eye level. If grandma is sitting down, sit next to her. If taping a baby, get on the floor. Don't stand in place and zoom in. A good videographer moves in close to the subject.

•Avoid zooming in and out incessantly, or people will get seasick when they watch the footage later.

•Take a hint. Just because the photographer is in the mood to roll tape doesn't mean the kids are. Don't expect a child to wax poetic simply because someone yells, "Action!"

But if a child starts singing and dancing, grab that camcorder. Don't interrupt them or tell them to stop until the video is rolling or the mood will be killed.

•Prepare to overshoot. Unless the family is Hollywoodtrained, a lot of junk will be captured for every gem. Keep the camcorder rolling to avoid missing the good stuff.

•Edit, edit, edit. Nobody wants to watch five hours of raw tape. For those who don't know how to edit, pass the tapes on to a professional.

This story is provided by Timeless Legacy Video.