My Five Tips to Help You Get Stunning Holiday Photos
The holiday season is a whirlwind of twinkling lights, cozy gatherings, and memory-making moments. Whether you're capturing a festive family dinner, the glittering tree, or the joy on a loved one's face, you'll want those photos to truly shine. Ready to elevate your holiday photography beyond quick snapshots? Here are my top five pro tips to help you take truly spectacular photos this season!
1. Master the Low Light
Holiday scenes are often defined by their beautiful, dim lighting—candles, string lights, and firelight. Instead of blasting everything with a harsh flash, lean into the atmosphere!
Use a Wide Aperture: Set your camera to a low or wide aperture number to let in more light. This will create a shallow depth of field, which is key to tip number two.
Boost ISO Responsibly: Don't be afraid to raise your ISO (e.g., to 800 or 1600) to keep your shutter speed fast enough to prevent blurring while not looking too grainy.
The Bokeh Effect: A wide aperture makes out-of-focus background lights turn into beautiful, soft spheres—this is called bokeh. Focus on your main subject and let the background lights melt into a stunning, dreamy blur. Most cell phone cameras will do this when in Portrait mode. Give it a try.
2. Focus on Festive Details
While grand family portraits are a must, the most emotionally resonant photos often capture the smaller, often overlooked details that you or others spent time on to enhance the holidays.
Get Close (Macro): Use a macro setting or lens (or simply zoom in close) to capture the texture of a knitted stocking, the intricate details of a favorite ornament, or the steam rising from a mug.
Capture the Process: Instead of just the finished product, photograph the hands decorating cookies, wrapping presents, or tying a bow. These action shots tell a richer story.
Isolate Color: Look for moments where a single, bright holiday color (like a red bow or a gold bulb) stands out against a neutral background. This creates a visual punch.
3. Capture Candid Emotion
While we are in Wisconsin, saying “cheese” doesn’t always bring out the best emotions. To capture the spirit of the season you can often get better shots that are candid and unposed. Here are a few ideas where candid photos really stand out.
Shoot the moment of anticipation before opening, or the genuine, surprised reaction afterward—not just the open box.
Photograph people interacting, whispering, laughing, or lost in conversation. Be a fly on the wall, not the director.
Get down to their level for photos of kids and pets! The world looks different from two feet high. A low angle makes them the star of the scene.
Patience is key here. Keep your camera ready and wait for the natural, unscripted moments of joy, quiet reflection, or shared laughter.
4. Use Natural Window Light for Portraits
The best light source for indoor portraits during the day isn't a flash—it's your window! Natural window light is soft, flattering, and gives a lovely professional look.
Turn Off Overhead Lights: They often cast a harsh, yellowish tone that competes with the window light.
Position Your Subject: Have the person sit or stand facing the window. The light should fall evenly across their face.
Use a Reflector (or a White Sheet!): If the side of their face away from the window is too dark, place a white sheet or board opposite the window to bounce light back and fill in the shadows.
5. Compose with Context: Rule of Thirds and Leading Lines
Good composition is what separates a snapshot from a stunning photograph. Before you press the shutter, take a moment to look through your viewfinder and arrange the elements.
The Rule of Thirds: Imagine dividing your photo into nine equal squares (like a tic-tac-toe board). Place your most important subject (a person, a centerpiece, a focal point) along one of the lines or at one of the four intersection points, rather than dead center. This creates a more balanced and dynamic image.
Leading Lines: Use elements like a banister, a string of lights, or the arms of a sofa to draw the viewer's eye towards your main subject. These are called "leading lines," and they add depth and movement to a photo.
This holiday season, take your time, play with the light, and focus on capturing the real emotion and details around you. You might just surprise yourself with the beautiful memories you create!
Happy snapping, and happy holidays!