How to Get the Perfect Holiday Shot
By: Photos Of Us
Tags: Photography, Photographer, Photos, Cameras, Holidays

How to Get the Perfect Holiday Shot

It’s that time of year! The hustle and bustle of the holiday season is underway, and you’re ready to pull out your camera to capture the best moments spent with family and friends. You may, however, feel stressed about how to take THE most perfect holiday photos. Well, look no further, we at Photos of Us are here to help.

Equipment

First, it is important to note that you have the proper equipment and that you are using it correctly. There is no need for fancy and expensive gear, you should be good to go as long as what you have available is adjusted to its optimal settings.

Have a convenient camera.

Whether you use your iPhone or your fancy new DSLR is up to you. It is important, however, that you always have it handy so you never miss the perfect shot. An iPhone (especially the newest generation) is great for capturing the perfect photo-ops on the go. Remember though, when using a phone camera rather than a professional one, you will have to sacrifice quality. If your ultimate goal is to print out your shots, we recommend using a higher-grade camera. When shooting with these, you do sacrifice the convenience of keeping it in your pocket, but to solve this, simply attach a camera strap to your DSLR. Now, your camera will always be right at your chest, so you can get quality photos without fumbling through your pockets!

Use a tripod.

The holiday season means A LOT of family photos. To capture steady group shots, use a tripod for your camera. Remember, it doesn’t have to be expensive, just functional, sturdy, and compatible with your camera. Here’s an inexpensive option available at Amazon.

Get flashy.

More often than not, the lighting indoors is less than ideal. The low light conditions make group and food shots look unflattering, and your camera’s flash just doesn’t quite cut it. This is when an external flash comes in handy. Using one of these units will help even out the lighting, and make your photos look stunning! Make sure to point the device towards the ceiling or a nearby wall to bounce the flash. If there is no surface to bounce the flash off of, try using a bounce card.

Invest in a remote shutter.

Don’t even think of keeping yourself out of the family photos. We all know everyone will insist that you be in at least one. Our advice is to say goodbye to built in timers, because who likes running back and forth between to set up the timer after each shot? In these situations, use a remote shutter , so that you can take many shots right from your spot in the shot, and avoid the mini cardio session.

Big family, wide angle lens.

Nobody likes to be cropped out of the family photo. Use a wide angle lens to fit more family members into the frame. They’ll thank you for that!

Plan Ahead

Going into a family party with a plan is always a great idea. It allows you to make sure you get all the shots you want within a proper time frame. Consider bringing a checklist with you to ensure you don’t miss any!

Brainstorm.

Before you head to a family event, brainstorm some ideas for holiday shots. If you do this, you will be able to get more of the shots you love, faster. Need some inspo? Check out Pinterest for some great holiday photography ideas.

Use props.

Who doesn’t love a good prop? Props help make photos more exciting to look at. When it comes to holiday photos, try incorporating festive props into the shot. For example, if you’re celebrating Christmas you can utilize wrapped gifts, the Christmas tree, or some holly. Not only does it add to the holiday spirit, but it’s also a creative way to make photos that are more aesthetically pleasing.

Shoot from up high.

Plan to take photos from different angles to add excitement and variety to your photo collection. A classic shot to take is one at the dinner table. During this fun and intimate moment, try shooting from a higher vantage point to rid your frame of unnecessary background elements and to create an overall visually appealing shot.

Be Real

Now that you’ve planned out a few posed shots, it’s good to remember to get ones that showcase your family in the moment. Often, it’s the “real” photos that come out the best.

Take candids.

Planned photos are great and all, but who doesn’t love a great candid. Between taking planned shots, make sure you capture the emotions of those around you. Whether it’s of a child opening a gift, your brother drooling over the pie, or your mom and dad cooking together, every moment is precious, and you will never regret capturing them.

Document unique traditions.

Most families have some sort of tradition. Whether your grandma cuts the Thanksgiving turkey, your uncle dresses up as Santa, or your mother lights the Menorah, make sure you don’t miss these unique moments. Plus, they make great photos to look at both now and years down the road.

Share Your Work

After being photographed all day, you’re family is going to be yearning to see the final shots! Make sure you share them with everyone.

Use Photos of Us.

Photos of Us is a great online tool that allows you to create albums for various events and share them with your clients. In this case, you can use Photos of Us to share your favorite shots with the fam. They’ll be elated to have access to all of their photos by simplifying going onto the Photos of Us website and digitally downloading whatever photos they want. There’s no longer a need to email or text your entire family the album of photos. It’s as simple as that!

As the excitement of the holidays continues to pick up, we hope that you find these tips useful. Will you put any into action? Let us know on Twitter @photos_of_us.

We at Photos of Us work hard to help photographers increase their efficiency so they can spend more time doing what they love. Sign-up for Photos of Us today to start storing, sharing, and selling photos like a pro.