Documenting Christmas — one of the most amazing times of the year — is important. Christmas is a time of family, food, and fun. It is filled with decorations, traditions, and a sense of awe and wonder (and perhaps stress!) Feeling the wonder is one thing…capturing it on {digital} film is another! I want to share with you a few tips for photographing your Christmas.
MY FOUR MAIN TIPS:
1. Details, Details! Christmas is filled with so many little details that make the season SO BIG. Don’t forget to include them in your photos.
2. Don’t expect perfection: I know most of us are hoping for that “perfect” Christmas photo. But the reality is, perfection is overrated. Reality is priceless.
3. Enjoy the day! The worst thing we can do as a mom-with-a-camera is to be so busy taking pictures that we miss ENJOYING the season with our family. Last year, I bought a remote timer and set it up in our living room. It took one picture every minute and it allowed me to be part of the special day. Read more about the remote HERE.
4. Don’t feel like you have to scrap it all! Just because you take 600 pictures of Christmas, it does NOT mean that you have to scrap them all! Find your favorites, capture the feel of the season, and then let it go. Read more about scrapping big events HERE. As I was looking for photos for this post, I was tempted to go back and scrap some old pictures. And then I saw my layout for last years Christmas and I thought, “Nope. That layout about captures it all.”
And here are some holiday things that you should remember to photograph
DECORATIONS
THE TREE
For this photo I used these settings (with the camera on a tripod!)
ISO 100 F22 SS: 20 seconds
ORNAMENTS
New and old favorites
CRAFTS
Any crafting you (or the kids!) have done
FOOD
Food is such a big part of the holiday season! Make sure you get pictures!
THE PARTIES
THE CONCERTS/PLAYS
THE SPECIAL CHURCH PROGRAMS
THE GIFTS
(and the wrapping of them!)
THE FUN TREATS
THE TRADITIONS
And THE PARTS THAT MATTER MOST TO YOU
Enjoy photographing your Christmas!
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Love this post!!!!
Hi dude, nice blog Happy Holidays!
I love this post! Very inspiring and I love that you give what setting you have your camera on…helps me out as I’m trying to learn more about photography! Great suggestions!!
thanks for the great suggestions!
Thank you for this post. It inspired me.
I love your last picture! Love it all really.
wow! wow! wow!
gorgeous photos!!!
Love your ideas.
you put this beautifully – totally inspired me to get going, even though it’s late already. thanks!
I love this post (and your photos)!! Thanks so much.
Love all your photos! Why have I never thought to take a picture of wrapping paper before? I love it!
This is such a great post – thank you for all the reminders of the ways to capture Christmas! I always slave over a big spread, then forget to photograph it.
Thanks for the tips and Merry Christmas!
Great post!
Love this Janet! Thanks for the reminder! I am so gonna make those reindeer candy canes now for my 3 year old’s preschool!! So cute!
Love the photo of your tree- I’ll have to try all of these photo tips this year. Thanks!
Love this post and the wonderful photos of Christmas!