Tips & Tricks for Holiday Pics
It’s that time of year where we all try to jam pack a million memories in about a month and a half time frame. While you’re running around like an elf with your head filled with caffeine and sugar here’s some tips to be sure to capture some great holiday memories to last you for a lifetime to tell this year’s story…
Have a creative and wonderful holiday!!!... and yes, this is me in an ornament next to a Diet Coke tree ornament.
Don’t Be A Posing Grinch – Let The Fun Happen!
Some of the best moments and memories people reminisce over aren’t posed, so why make people stop the action to look right at the camera and say “cheese log!” Let your family, friends and yourself live in the moment to capture a true laugh and smile. This is an especially easy way to get that most sought after shot of the family member who never smiles for photos, too! Keep your camera handy; set it to automatic or a setting you’re very familiar with so you can snap at a moment’s notice.
(Keep those cameras ready when the kids are opening gifts - you never know how excited they'll be!)
When you do your posed stuff, get one “normal” one and then do something a little more lighthearted. Involve your holiday decorations, let people make faces and embrace the sugar induced silliness! This keeps any family portraits more fun for everyone (even if you don’t ever print the silly one, rather than a mandatory chore. When you have little kids involved this is a GREAT way to get them to be “pretty” and behave for a couple shots. Just tell them “If you can give me a nice pretty smile for one picture then I’ll let you be silly for two.” Little girls and spinning, boys and making faces – it works for me 99% of the time – even when grumpy kids are involved!
Be Part of the Memory – Not Outside of It…
There’s always one in each family, and clearly I’m it in mine. It’s too easy to get stuck behind the camera and capture those wonderful memories of those around you without including yourself. The consequence, it’ll look like you weren’t even there to celebrate! If you know you’re the photographer in your family, make it a point to hand that camera around, at least a couple times to get yourself in action. A fun way to do this is the classic “One Armed” shot by holding the camera out in front of you, squeeze in with a couple people, and take the shot yourself. A couple tips, keep the camera slightly higher rather than straight on, and try not to pull your head back which causes the lovely double chin syndrome. Try it a couple times and have fun with it. You’ll be surprised at what fun shots you can get with this!
(A "Self Shot" image of my hubby and myself last Thanksgiving...)
Soften That Flash Before You Blind Us!...
We all know the curse… You’re inside, its winter and dark out – yup, you’re going to have to use that flash! Often that creates harsh lighting that most of us don’t like. A simple trick for point & shoot cameras that have built in flash – create your own little diffuser which softens the light a bit. You can do this by placing a piece or two of frosted scotch tape over the flash, or even a napkin, paper towel, etc. Anything white and light! It creates a much nicer effect and lighting and even helps reduce the red-eye. Try colored paper or napkins for some fun effects!
Check and see if your camera has a Nighttime setting. It's a great way to pick up the colors of the holiday lights while still getting light on the human subjects in your image. It's done with a long exposure so don't move your hand right when then flash goes or you'll get some funky effects (which may be fun!). Not sure if you know what I'm talking about - just shoot me an email and I'll help!
(One of our cats, Chlooiagh, appreciating a diffused flash while tackling the garland...)
Little Details Tell A Story…
Don’t forget to snap shots of those little details to tell the story, too. Special ornaments on the tree, a gift someone made, and the fun iced cookies your two year-old made for Santa, or the first snowman of the season. It’s a fun way to remember small things and the ways those little items touch your holidays. Sometimes these little details are some wonderful memories 20 years down the road.
(an ornament from our first "married" holiday season...)
Share Your Memories With Everyone!
The joy of living in a digital age is that it’s so much easier to share our memories with everyone we love. Post your images to an online gallery like Shutterfly, SmugMug, etc. These galleries make it easy to share your albums (you often get your own little web address or a way to send an invite to share with others), and people can even order their own copies of their favorite prints through there without you having to do it for them. If you’re new to the online gallery shoot me an email and I’ll be happy to walk you through getting set up with one of them.
(commemorating the first snow fall a few years ago..)
Most Importantly – Remember To Take To Live In The Moments And Not Get Trapped Recording All Of Them… Yes, this is the same as being part of the memory that I mentioned above, but that’s how much I believe in it! I often fall into the same problem, as did my mom. Being surrounded by your friends and family are a blessing, so take advantage of it and share the time WITH them, not just around them! Hand that camera around and let those you love be the photobug for a while!
Happy Holidays Everyone!!!
~Dawn
Tags: General Photography Tips