Simple Tips for Capturing Magical Christmas Moments
Christmas is a time filled with laughter, cosy moments and twinkling lights. Also for stunning table centrepieces, bubbles, shimmering materials and those endless dips into the chocolates tin. Whether you’re snapping pics of tree decorating, snowy adventures or those quiet moments by the fire (yes please), here are a few simple tips to help you take better photographs this festive seasons.
Don’t panic, I’ve not used overwhelming jargon either, just easy to follow advice for all.
1. Christmas Lights & Bokeh
The twinkle of Christmas lights is absolutely magical, one of the things that provide the simplist of smiles, and bokeh (those dreamy blurred light circles you see) can lift your photos.
* How to Achieve it: Use a camera or phone on Portrait mode. Focus on your subject, keep the tree or lights slightly in the background.
* Tip: Stand back a little to create more depth between the subject and the lights for a stronger effect.
2. Capture the Quiet Moments
Not every shot has to be big smiles and action. You know me, I’m all about those hidden quiet moments. Maybe a child gazing at the tree, someone reading by the fire, or the reflections in a window.
* Tip: Turn OFF the flash. Go with natural or ambient light for a warm, cozy feel. Most smart phones have a Pro setting where you can change the ‘warmth’ of a photo (often indoor shots can be a little to orangey), so look for the setting and turn it down a little so you’ve got the balance just right.
3. Decorating Fun!
How about taking photos while the family decorates the tree and house. It’s a time that’s rich with candid opportunities and people aren’t worrying if there is a camera about or not.
* Angles: Get down to their level, especially children, to capture their perspective.
* Details: Snap close-ups of favourite ornaments being hung or hands threading tinsel.
* Lighting Tip: Dim the room lights slightly and let the tree lights shine – a magical glow is created.
4. Photographing Snow
Snowy landscapes are enchanting, particularly that first magical blanket. They can be tricky to photograph though due to the brightness. So, here’s a few tips to keep in mind.
* Avoid Overexposure: Use a lower ISO (100-200) and increase the Exposure Compensation slightly to prevent snow from looking grey.
* Focus on Textures: Capture footprints, snow-dusted trees or the way snow sparkles in sunlight!
* Pro-Tip: Look for pops of colour – red scarves or evergree trees – to contrast with the white.
5. Adjust ISO for Indoor Shots
Low light settings can lead to blurry photos if your camera’s ISO isn’t adjusted. You might think a room looks lovely in bright to your eyes, but camera’s see things differently to us, so we need to make adjustments.
Let me explain a bit…
* What is ISO?: ISO controls how sensitive your camera is to light. Higher ISO (800-1600) works better indoors with less lights, but don’t go too high with this setting otherwise you’ll have grainy photos.
* For Phones: Turn on HDR mode or use an App to manually adjust light sensitivity.
Don’t stress about perfection! The best photos ofteb come when you’re relaxed and enjoying the day. You could set up a self-timer or grab a tripod to include yourself in the memories. There are some really fabulous phone tripods available now that aren’t expensive but can provide you with more of an inclusive feel to your festivities.
Remember, it’s about capturing the joy and magic of your time together. Oh and sometimes the imperfect photos are the ones that tell the best stories.
Rachel x
