Photographs are a great way to capture memories of your trip and you may want to frame and hang them in your home or office after the holidays. To capture the magic of holiday memories, here are five easy tips to follow.
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Have an idea in mind before you start shooting.
It’s easy to get caught up in the moment and forget what you were going for, so figure out what you want before you start snapping away.
Choose the perfect spot.
The best time of day to photograph is in the morning, before most people wake up and before it gets too hot. But you can also shoot during the evening when the sun is setting. If you are photographing your child, you may choose to photograph her in front of a Christmas tree, surrounded by family, or with her favourite toy.
Use natural light.
The best lighting will be outdoors, particularly on a cloudy day. If you need to use artificial lighting, try using a reflector to bounce light off a nearby wall or window.
Go for a variety of shots.
You can capture the fun moments of your holiday with a single picture, such as family portraits. However, you may wish to take many photographs of your child, including one of her dressed up in her party outfit, or one of her playing with her favourite toy.
Capture details.
There will be lots of pictures taken but you should take time to focus on details in your photograph. Consider capturing your child’s hair blowing in the wind, or the expression on her face as she runs around with her friends.
Keep it safe.
Before you go on your holiday, make sure that you have a good quality camera and lens, and that you have adequate memory cards and batteries. If you plan to store your holiday photos online, make sure you have enough storage space.
Choose a great background.
Choose a background that doesn’t compete with the subject of your photo. This can be as simple as choosing an area where there are no distracting objects behind you — like a blank wall or even just an object that blends in with your outfit.
Backgrounds should complement the subject of your photo, not compete with it. Keep in mind that your background may also be reflected in your subject’s eyes — so if there are distracting elements in the background, you may see them reflected there as well.
Get close to your subject.
Getting close allows you to use different angles and vantage points when taking photos, which helps keep things interesting! You can also get creative by using props like flowers or hats to add interest to your pictures.
Try different poses and expressions.
If you’re taking pictures at home with friends or family members, encourage them to try different poses and expressions so that each person has their own unique picture!
Experiment with angles and perspectives.
Try shooting from above or below eye level (either physically or digitally by cropping), or at an angle to create an interesting perspective on your subject. If you want to get creative with angles, try using a mirror or double-exposing an image to create an artistic effect!
Don’t be afraid to use props!
If there’s something fun around — like Christmas trees or stockings hanging on a fireplace mantle — don’t hesitate to include them in your shot as long as they fit into your overall composition.
Things to consider:
Make sure you have enough memory cards and batteries charged up before heading out on your shoot.
Check the weather forecast before you leave so you know what to expect when it comes time to take those outdoor photos.
If you’re going on an indoor shoot, set up a makeshift studio with extra lighting so you can get good shots even if it’s dark outside (or if there are no windows).