Many people take more photos over the holidays than at any other time of the year. Here are some tips for making yours more memorable this year.
Start early and capture moments
Keep in mind that the holidays involve much more than just carefully planned events so central to many of our celebrations. Keep your camera ready before, during and after celebrations and throughout the season to capture candid moments that can often bring back rich memories and stories. In the words of the poet Cesare Pavese,
“We do not remember days, we remember moments. The richness of life lies in memories we have forgotten.”
Plan ahead
It's pretty obvious that you must have your camera battery charged and memory cards cleared, but with all the hubbub that so often occurs in last-minute holiday preparations it can be easy to forget. Get your equipment ready and waiting ahead of time.
Plan to take group photos early
If you plan to take group photos, it's a good idea to take them early on in the celebrations when everyone is looking their freshest and best. Scout out a location early, before you gather everyone together, looking for backgrounds that aren't distracting. (Do you really want that lampshade growing out of someone's head?) Keep away from mirrors, glass or other reflective surfaces that can cause distracting light flares. Also, don't take photos in front of windows or other strong light sources or the subject of your photo may be in shadows.
Take group photos quickly & abundantly
People usually want the group photo experience over quickly… that is why it is so important to plan ahead and call people together only when you are ready to shoot. It can also be fun to start taking photos while people are arranging themselves for some more relaxed photos. The biggest key to getting good photos is taking LOTS of pictures. Shoot with abandonment, you may be surprised at what you get.
Arranging people may involve having some people sitting, some standing, some kneeling. Avoid having only one or two people at a totally different height level… if there are people noticeably taller than everyone else consider having them sit or kneel. Look for faces near each other, but also make sure every face is clearly visible and distracting backgrounds have been eliminated.
Take a large number of photos
Perhaps the biggest key to getting good photos, especially of groups and children, is taking a lot of photos. Professional photographers have always done this, but it wasn't practical for us amateur photographers in the days of costly film. Digital cameras have changed all that. They are made for taking tons of photos knowing there will be many that will be tossed into the trash but there will likely be a few gems… take advantage of it!
Move in close, fill the frame, get on your subject's level
Moving in close to fill the frame with your subject on their level can make a huge difference on the success of your picture taking. Don't worry about cropping out some of the surroundings or some of your subject. Having your photo filled with part of your subject can sometimes have a much greater impact… perhaps even more so if it is cropped or taken from an unexpected angle.
Use flash judiciously
Although using flash can be a lifesaver, turn it off indoors if you can possibly avoid it… built-in flash units tend to produce harsh, flat, cold light. During the day, try getting between your subject and a window or open door to use natural light without throwing off your exposure. At night, try turning on as many lights as you can to get a more natural look. If you are taking photos outside during the day, sometimes adding flash can make a big difference by filling in the shadows and evening out harsh contrasts.
Be patient and don't stop the action
Be quick to shoot, but patient in waiting for the right moments, especially when trying to capture genuine, spontaneous emotion. Some of the best candid photos come as a result of waiting for the right moment, then shooting a number of photos in rapid succession. These are the kind of holiday pictures families often treasure the most.
Sharlene Hensrud, RE/MAX Results - Email – Minneapolis Realtor
