Smilebox Blog

When it comes to families and the holidays, everyone wants to capture their special moments so they can cherish them for years to come. Don’t be concerned about taking the perfect photo, however. You don’t have to have a $2,000 camera or be a photography expert to take great photos of your holiday celebrations. It’s less about white balance and more about capturing memories with loved ones that just might end up being once-in-a-lifetime moments. Here are ten simple and easy tips for capturing magical holiday memories:

1. Make a list.  And, just like jolly St. Nick, check it twice.  You don’t want to have a dead battery just as the kids start to rip open their packages.  So add a photo/video check to your last-minute to dos to make sure batteries are charged and you have ample room available on your memory card to capture all the magic.  And for goodness sake, if you’re not celebrating at your house make sure you pack the camera!
2. Create the space.  As you’re decorating for your holiday festivities, create one or more holiday “photo booths” AKA areas in your home that you know will have good lighting, a great background with little clutter and are void of tricky photo situations such as mirrors and harsh lighting.  A little planning will give all of your guests the opportunity to get great photos with friends and family.
3. Get on their level.  You don’t always want to get the tops of the kids heads as they open that special package so make sure you’re sitting on the floor – or even try lying on your belly!  You’ll be impressed with the difference it makes.
4. Ready for your close-up.  Avoid the inevitable holiday clutter looming in the background such as piles of wrapping paper, coats stuffed in a corner or a messy kitchen as you prepare for the Christmas feast.  Tighten up your shots.  Don’t be afraid to get really close and focus in on your friends and family.
5. A season for thanks.  Don’t forget to take Christmas morning photos as personalized thank you’s for gift-givers who couldn’t be with you during the holidays.  The look on the gift recipients face as they open their present is far better than a written out thank you note.
6. Tell the story.  Don’t forget to get the photos that tell your holiday story.  They might not be the main characters – but a supporting cast is always needed to round out every holiday scrapbook.  Some favorites include tight shots of heirloom ornaments, the kids sleeping (with sugar plums dancing in their heads) on Christmas Eve, and the rush down the stairs to see what awaits them on Christmas morning.
7. All in the family.  Christmastime brings loved ones together like no other time of the year.  Make sure you take advantage of it and document your visit with great aunt Linda or that friend visiting from across the country.
8. Continuous mode.  Use the continuous feature (sometimes called burst or sports mode) on your camera to capture a series of shots that convey the joy of the season.  This is particularly effective capturing the before and after faces of children opening up presents. 
9. Light up.  You – or your husband – spent hours hanging the perfect display of outdoor holiday lights.  Document it for the ages with photos – but not in the dark of night.  The lights will photograph much better at twilight – the elusive time between sunset and complete darkness.  Try taking photos on a couple of different evenings and pick the lighting you like best.
10. Keep it real.  Don’t insist that every shot be highly posed this holiday season.  Quietly photographing moments such as gift exchanges, bedtime stories and cookie making just may yield some of your favorite holiday photos.