Three Tips for Capturing Your Christmas Memories Authentically —
Forget photographing your kids in front of perfectly staged Santa scenes. There’s no need to coax forced smiles from your kids on Christmas morning. The holidays are all about making memories as a family. If you want to remember the wonder and joy on your kids faces this season, read my tips for capturing your Christmas memories authentically.
Capture Christmas Family Rituals
Some of my favorite family rituals over the years have been baking gingerbread cookies with my son, decorating a gingerbread house and other Christmas Eve traditions. So whether your kids love putting cookies and carrots out for Santa and his reindeer or piling on the sofa to read The Night Before Christmas, make sure you capture these moments. Your kids don’t need to be looking at the camera, just photograph them enjoying the moment.
Be sure to capture the entire scene and then step in closer to photograph the details, like little fingers on cookies.
Capture the Chaos of Christmas in Photos and Video
Don’t clean up before taking pictures Christmas morning. Gift wrap and bows strewn all about or cookie crumbs on Santa’s plate help tell your family’s story and capture the energy of the moment. Be sure to take some video clips and not just still photos so that you can remember the excitement in your child’s voice when he opens a gift he’s been hoping for. One of my favorite memories of my son on his first Christmas was the photo I took of him laying on the floor fast asleep after all the excitement of opening gifts so be sure to capture some moments later in the day, whether it’s your kids playing with new toys, or passed out in a mess of torn gift paper and bows!
Get in the Frame
As moms (and dads), we’re so often behind the camera instead of in front of it. Your kids will want to look back on these magical memories and see you there too! Set you camera or phone on a tripod or table and make sure you capture yourself with your kids. And be sure to charge camera batteries and make sure you have plenty of room on your SD cards before Christmas morning!
Want more tips for photographing your family? Enjoy My Guide To Taking Better Photos of Your Family.
