Three tips for taking better Christmas photos of your little one's this year!
Three tips for taking better Christmas photos with your little one's this year!
Well here we are! Christmas is happening again! And we want to capture all the moments of joy, excitement and love that we experience at this time of year - family, closeness, reminiscing… it’s all part of the magic of Christmas.
And sometimes we just want that ONE PERFECT PHOTO to remind us of this magic. But it doesn’t always work out that way, does it?
Keep in mind too, that not everything is about the ‘perfect shot’ - remember, these are the memories and moments of your little one at the age and stage they are at right now.
They may have messy hair, grubby faces and some epic sass or the cutest sad pout you ever did see - still, document these moments anyway, sometimes they mean more to us in years to come than a perfectly curated setup.
I have a few quick tips here for you to try this year AND a Christmas Photo Challenge for you too!
Side note: Be prepared that you might not catch everything that you want the first time!
The camera might get the wrong part of the scene in focus, missing your bub and focussing on the background instead, your little one might not be in exactly the right position and you might not be in the right spot to catch the moment either…
The goal is to enjoy the process, enjoy capturing the moment, look back on what you captured, see what you would want to improve and do it again in a few days!
Remember, “skill in photography is acquired by PRACTICE, not PURCHASE.” (Percy W. Harris)
So, let’s get cracking - here are my quick tips for Christmas photos this year! It might be best to plan these for the week before Christmas, instead of on the actual day …
TIP ONE: Flat lay or bird’s eye view camera angle
Try a new angle that isn’t just you pointing your phone or camera at our child while you’re standing up.
Try a ‘Flat lay’ composition style. It’s also called a ‘bird’s eye’ view, as you want your camera to be the ‘bird’ and hold it above your child and what they are doing - hanging decorations on the tree, playing with some tinsel or christmas decorations, or wearing the most adorable Christmas outfit that looks super cute from above! (See photo above of little bub’s toosh in his Christmas styled overalls!)
TIP TWO: Dog’s eye view camera angle
This is another compositional angle which requires a little effort - get the camera on the eye level - or lower - of the child. You may need to lie down for some of these shots. It’s creative and fun! Get it there and try it!
TIP THREE: Variety and details!
Take some ‘pull back’ or photos of the full scene to capture everything that is happening, but then also remember the details!
Little fingers trying to tear open the wrapping on a present
a christmas hat falling over their eyes
the joy in their smile and twinkle in their eyes as they hang a bauble on the christmas tree!
Having that variety in angles, close ups, far away shots, details, bird’s eye compositions and full scene shots will mean that in 10 - 15 minutes, you will likely have enough photos for a gorgeous little Christmas photo album! How beautiful would that be as a keepsake!
BONUS!
Pro Tip for capturing as much variety as you can as quickly as you can - no need to panic and feel flustered!
TIP FOUR: Be quick! 10 - 15 minutes max, on a little Christmas photo shoot is all you need.
Anticipate moments or expressions you know might come, change angles quickly. I tend to start high (bird’s eye view, like a flat lay) and then come down low on one side, move around the back and to the other side of bub and then go back high again to bird’s eye view.
For professional photographer’s, this is called a ‘session workflow’ which means we can methodically capture all sorts of angles and emotions quickly and we capture ‘more with less’, if that makes a bit of sense!
Now, on to your Christmas PHOTO CHALLENGE!
Christmas Photo Challenge
“Magic Christmas Tree Lights”
~ this is a low light photograph taken at night using only your Christmas tree lights.
Step 1: have child/children sitting around the tree with a book, toy or little present.
Step 2: use ‘dog’s eye view’ angle and get the camera nice and low.
Step 3: take a photo with the tree on one side, and the kids on the other side - the lights shining on their faces, engaged with their book or toy.
- Note for DSLR users: you can still leave your camera on auto for this if it’s your first attempt at using your camera, but because of the low light scenario, your camera will need to be completely steady on a tripod or support of some sort.
The camera will make the shutter speed quite slow and we want to minimise any camera blur. Being on auto mode, the camera will try to balance the low lighting scenario and make the photo brighter.
Be aware: If your kids are moving, there may still be blurriness in the shot…. (Low light situations are when we need to start learning more how to change our camera’s settings to get the shot we want - DSLR’s are powerful! We just need to know what to tell it to do!)
If you want to learn more about your DSLR and get off manual mode, make sure you join the VIP Facebook group for more info on beginner classes coming in 2021.
SHARE YOUR CHRISTMAS LIGHTS PHOTO WITH US IN OUR FB GROUP “JADE READ PHOTOGRAPHY VIP GROUP”! We’d love to see how you went!
“Remember: skill in photography is acquired by practice, not purchase.”
JADE READ PHOTOGRAPHY
Newborn . Baby . Maternity . Fresh 48 . Children . Families . Fine Art . Pets
jade@jadereadphotography.com.au | 0423 372 338
Helensvale, Gold Coast