Holiday Photography Done Better

The holidays have a habit of bringing family and friends together. When these occasions come around more than one person has probably brought along an old camera to document all the extra gray hairs and double chins that have snuck in since last year.

Regrettably, it is far too common to have those photos go missing. A few years ago they would have been locked away in some half-used undeveloped canister of film, while today they are hiding in the dark corners of your computer's hard drive.
It is a shame that so many memories are filed away, not to be seen for years. Hopefully a few tips can help you take better quality holiday photographs. The kind of photo that might earn status in a coveted frame on your mantle.

Cameras continue to become more inexpensive with each passing year and it is a safe bet that someone you know will have one in their stocking this Christmas. With camera phones and mini-digitals, everyone has become an amateur photographer. They also make all the amateur mistakes that leave countless photos in the trash file of a memory card.

The first tip to immediately improve your photos is, Get Closer. This is particularly important during the holidays when you want pictures of loved ones. By simply stepping a few feet closer than you normally would you can remove unnecessary surroundings and focus on the real subjects of your photo. Smiles will look bigger, eyes will shine brighter and you'll capture some real emotion in the lens.

Along with getting closer to your subject, it is important to Look at the Whole Frame. Great pictures can be ruined (or improved, depending on your sense of humor) if your Uncle Joe is picking his nose in the background. "Look at the whole frame" will be the first thing you hear in any photography class because it is so important to getting a quality picture.

Even though the holidays come around during winter you don't need to keep the curtains drawn and the light bulbs cranked. Using Natural Light is always preferable to yellow halogen or green fluorescent. Natural light also helps to reduce the need for a flash, which will create harsh lighting tones or wash out people's faces. Get your family outside into the snow and take advantage of the amazing light that reflects from the snow-covered ground and the obvious fun to be had when snowballs are flying.

Another important tip is to simply Be Ready. Take the time to learn how to use your camera and what it is able to do before your guests start knocking on the door. When you are able to comfortably use your camera it will give you more opportunities to catch the action and character shots that are much more memorable than those staid, upright poses in front of your sofa.

The final, and most important tip is, Relax. Have fun celebrating with your family and friends. Take the time to appreciate them and enjoy yourself. The photos will come along much easier if you and everyone else are having a good time.