5 Tips for Beautiful Holiday Photos

Article: main image URL: https://static.photocdn.pt/images/articles/2023/11/03/5_Tips_for_Beautiful_Holiday_Photos.webp
Article: description: Holiday photos can be tricky, what with the chaos of the holiday, lots of people to wrangle for the photo, and loads of gifts everywhere. Use this guide to make sense of it all!
0
1

Photo by skynesher via iStock

The holiday season is a magical time, where festive decorations, twinkling lights, and the warmth of togetherness create perfect backdrops for taking pictures. However, we understand that capturing beautiful images can be challenging. Lucky for you, that’s exactly why we wrote this article. To help you shoot high-quality holiday photos you will cherish forever!

From getting into the holiday mood and shooting at night to taking different types of images, these five tips for holiday photos will instantly improve your results. Moreover, they are designed for all types of photographers (beginner vs professional) and devices (cameras vs smartphones), so regardless of your experience level and gear, there’s lots to take away.

We’ll also recommend our favorite way to share holiday photos with family and friends. With that said, continue reading if you are eager to transform this year's most beloved holiday moments into lifelong memories with the help of photography!

Check out the video above by Mango Street to learn 11 creative photography ideas for the upcoming holiday season. 

Table of Contents

Holiday Photos Tip #1: Embrace the Holiday Spirit

Photo by AleksandarNakic via iStock

Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or something else, December brings holidays for everyone. And there’s no better way to get in the mood and create a positive atmosphere for photos than by embracing the holiday spirit. That goes for everyone, regardless if you plan to spend the holidays with family, friends, or alone.  

Ways to do this include putting up decorations/lights, listening to Christmas music, watching popular holiday movies, and shopping for presents. Doing these things creates stunning settings for holiday photos and brings joy to everyone (which will show up in your photos in terms of smiles and laughter). 

Holiday Photos Tip #2: Take Photos at Night

Photo by dszc via iStock

Piggybacking off the idea of lights and decorations, taking pictures when it’s dark out is an easy way to capture beautiful holiday photos. During the holidays, nighttime is when cities come alive with Christmas markets, the lights on your tree shine brightest, and fireplaces set an enchanting mood. Use those things to your advantage to improve the quality of your images.  

When shooting at night, it’s important to have a few things in mind. First, cameras with larger sensors and built-in image stabilization will yield better results. Next, you have to take the direction of the artificial light into account to avoid shadows that can ruin an image. Also, if you use a smartphone to take photos, check and see if yours has a dedicated “night mode.” 

Learn More:

Holiday Photos Tip #3: Capture the Tiny Details

Photo by Liudmila Chernetska via iStock 

While everyone typically focuses on people (and rightfully so) when shooting holiday photos, don’t overlook the small things that make the holidays special. Capturing these scenes is crucial to painting the whole picture of your holidays and making wonderful additions to holiday photo albums.

These small details will vary from person to person, so it’s up to you to decide what is important for you and your family. If you need inspiration, some of the most popular images include food, stockings, presents, Christmas trees, etc. 

Holiday Photos Tip #4: Shoot Natural and Staged Photos

Photo by Drazen Zigic via iStock 

Another tip for holiday photos is to take both candid and staged photos. We prefer candid photos because they capture moments in their truest form and usually invoke the strongest emotions in us when looking back on them later. Since you never know when the perfect photo opportunity will pop up, always having a camera on you during the holidays is key.  

On the other hand, having a few staged photos is a good idea. They are especially useful for family holiday photos to ensure everyone is in the picture. Make sure to include yourself in some photos, too. The best way to do this is by using a tripod, but if you don’t have one, at least take some selfies!

Holiday Photos Tip #5: Showcase Your Holiday Photos in a Beautiful Christmas Card

Photo by EKIN KIZILKAYA via iStock 

Finally, once you have your new and improved holiday photos, don’t forget to share them with others. While the most common way to share photos nowadays is digitally (social media, text, email, etc.), we prefer sending custom Christmas cards. They are more personal, and let’s be honest, everyone loves receiving Christmas cards.  

One fantastic resource for customizing cards is Photo Book Press. They are a trustworthy and reliable online print shop that has made customers happy with their high-quality products for nearly forty years. On top of that, their low prices are unbeatable. Want to display your photos differently? They also have photobooks, wall art, calendars, and more! 

Final Thoughts on Holiday Photos 

Photo by helenaak via iStock

Ok, what are you waiting for? Now that you’ve learned how to take better holiday photos, it’s time to put those tips and techniques into practice so you can be ready for the upcoming holiday season! And as a thank you for reading our entire article, here are a few bonus tips for beautiful holiday photography:

  • Learn the basics of lighting and the exposure triangle (shutter speed, aperture, ISO)
  • Sign up for a holiday photo challenge
  • Shoot RAW images (if you can) and edit them
  • Capture video along with photos
  • Have fun and enjoy this precious time of year with your loved ones!

Recommended Photography Gear

Disclaimer: Our articles might have affiliate links and the occasional sponsored content, but don't sweat it – if you buy something, we get a little kickback at no extra cost to you, and we only hype products we truly believe in!

Learn More:




Portrait Photography Tips

Still haven't uncovered all the tools, tips & tricks you need to take the stunning portrait shots you want?

Enroll in our Portrait Photography Mastery Course and join the photographers who have fast tracked their learning by mastering the art of taking awe-worthy portrait shots in just a matter of days.

Not a Member? Join Today