Tips for Better Holiday Photos + Holiday Photo Checklistby

The #1 tip I always give people if to turn off their flash! That said, there are often times when a flash is surelyneeded but try turning it off and see what you think. Learning to take better photos at Christmas or any other timeis all about giving yourself the freedom to be creative & experiment. In this digital age if you don't like it, delete it

and try again! There are times when your flash can be a save a photo for sure but the flash can also mean thedifference between a decent photo and a amazing image both with and without.

Flash...especially from the small on-camera flash build into most cameras tends to produce very harsh and flat lightwhich is rarely complimentary. There are a couple of ways to soften this light if you must use it. You can simply

take a small piece of toilet paper and rubber band it over the flash or hold it in front to soften the light - or - if yourpopup flash is a little bigger you can run to Walmart or Walgreens and see if the happen to have a white 35mm film

case. These are harder to find these days than in the past but you can cut a slit in the side and slide it over yourflash for an instant diffuser.

A good way to avoid using flash is to try to position your subject or subjects in a spot where there is pretty naturallight coming in through a window or door.

If you are inside at night, turn on as many lights as you can. You may need a flash even then but try the photowithout it first.

Try turning off your flash.

For better family & group photos it is important thing to keep in mind that you must take a lot of photos. Lotsof cameras these days and cell phones have burst modes on them. It's a great idea to take a quick series of

shots so that you can choose the best one where there isn't someone blinking or looking the wrong way, etc.

This will give you the best chance of getting a great photo! Here is our crew at Thanksgiving. We took a quickseries of about 15 images and this was the best we got.

Family & Group Photos

It's always fun to yell "Crazy Pose" and see what happens. It makes everyone laugh and always produces a greatimage. I generally do this at the end but you can also do it first thing just to get everyone laughing and to help

them relax a bit.

Crazy Pose

One of the most well known guidelines in photography is known as the rule of thirds.The rule of thirds is a "rule of thumb" or guideline which applies to the process of composing photographs and

other art forms. This guideline states that an image should be imagined as divided into nine parts by two spacedhorizontal lines and two vertical lines and that your subject should be placed on these lines or their intersections.

Imagine a Tic-Tac-Toe Board over your image. Most cameras and even cell phones allow you to turn the grid on tohelp guide you.

Don't be afraid to move in close. Especially when centering your subject but also when you off-center it. Moving inclose is the one thing that will make a big difference in your photo. Audiences are usually always more impressed

when the subject is huge hard to miss. Therefore, try to have your subject fill the frame.

Have fun and try experimenting with placing your subject at different spots in the rule of thirds and see which youlike better.

Pay Attention to Compsition

That's when being prepared to fully capture that moment will pay off. This means having your camera on orin your hand, the batteries fully charged and a memory card with lots of available images. You can't capture

those special moments if you aren't prepared and ready.

Be ready to grab your camera and shoot away at a moment's notice. Try to anticipating when that magicspark will appear. Shoot quickly and shoot often. Click, click, click away. You can always delete the onceyou don't care for afterwards. Getting a great photo of the right moment is rewarding and well worth the

extra effort.

Be Prepared

As your child, children or loved one isopening their gift, or playing with a new

gift for the first time you know that,within a split second, the enitre scenecan change. There are often just a few

quick seconds to catch that "magicspark".

Get down to eye level with the kids.Some of the best photos years down the roadoften end up being the ones of little ones. It’swonderful to see the differences from year toyear and watch them grow and change over

time. When browsing photo collections mostpeople will often linger on children's photos as

they bring back so many memories.

When you have your camera out remember toget eye level with the little ones! It’s easier toto shoot down at kids from your level, but it

often results in unflattering pictures. Putyourself physically at the same level as the kids

and enjoy the view of their world. This willproduce photos that are more personal and

memorable.

Get Low

Don't be the person running around shouting out orderslike “Smile,” “Over here!” and “Say Cheese!”

However, the better option is to try your best to be a fly onthe wall. and shoot moments instead of poses. This methodwill capture the essence of what people are doing – talking,laughing, opening presents, sharing a drink and makes for

much more interesting photos. Better photos will bring youand your family better memories in years to come.

There is certainly nothing wrong with posed photos orhaving people look at you and smile while you take theirpicture. In fact we should all capture a couple of those

traditional images as well but they often lack context asidefrom the clothes people have on or the decorations in the

photo.

What else was happening? Who else was there? Thisdocumentary-style approach and shooting pictures of

people just being themselves you will capture memoriesthat will you will adore for years and years to come.

Capture Natural Momentswith Natural Posing

Holiday decorations make your home beautiful at Christmas time and they also make excellent photobackdrops. Take advantage of the decor around you (Christmas lights, wreaths, Christmas trees, etc.) and use

them as backdrops for your photos. Try not to sit your subject directly in front of your backdrop but rather position them a couple of feet in front to help get that beautiful blurry background.

Be sure to hop in a few photos so you can grab a shot of the whole family in front of the Christmas tree. Yourcamera's or cell phone's self timer is perfect for that. It's often challenging when using the timer to get your

camera to focus where you want it. Press the shutter button halfway, this will lock the focus where you want it,THEN press it all the way to start the timer. It’ll may take a few tries but its totally doable.

Look for Pretty Holiday Backdrops

Use Your Self Timer to Hop in the Photo

Try to take a photo each year in the same pose or location. What a super fun way to look back and see how peopleand children grow and how they change through the years. Have everyone wear a Santa hat for example.

Create Your Own Traditional Photo

There is magic in the details. Don’t forget to snap a few photos of the little things that make Christmas special toyou. For us it's ornaments we collect through the year as we travel. Try to crop in close and capture all the little

details. Often people have sentimental decorations as well. Don't forget to take photos of them. Photographeverything from baking to holiday décor to Christmas cards that the family received for during the holiday season.

Don't Forget the Details

Holiday Photo Checklist

choosing & decorating the treeChristmas Tree day & nightChristmas Tree with & without giftsclose-ups of special ornamentswrapping giftsclose-up of gifts under the treeholiday bakingholiday decorholiday craftsyour outdoor decorationsfootprints in the snow (if you're so lucky)cup of hot chocolatefamily in their Christmas bestfamily in front of the treefamily in their Christmas pj'sreading a Christmas storyyour Elf on the Shelfcookies for Santafamily & friends gathering

stockings and other decoropening giftsplaying with new toysChristmas dinnerChristmas dessertsclose-up of Christmas tablefamily & friends enjoying Christmas dinner

Have a blast!

QUICK TIP: Take each photo vertical (up and down) as well portrait (sideways) and close-up andfurther away. This will give you a great selection of photos of each shot.

THANK YOU♥

DIANNE LEIGH PHOTOGRAPHY | WWW.DIANNELEIGH.COM | DI@DIANNELEIGH.COM