Capturing Holiday Moments: Tips for Stunning Photos

by Stanley LearyPhotography

The holiday season is the perfect time to take memorable photos of friends and family in front of beautiful Christmas trees, dazzling light displays, or festive events. However, many images fail to capture the people and the setting effectively, leaving faces in shadow or the background overexposed. To help you avoid these pitfalls and create stunning holiday photos, here’s a handy list of tips and common mistakes to avoid.

Tips for Amazing Holiday Photos

1. Get Close and Use a Wide-Angle Lens

  • Position yourself closer to your subject rather than zooming in. A wide-angle lens captures more of the setting (such as a Christmas tree or festive decor) and adds depth and connection.
  • Wide-angle perspectives are especially great for showing the scale of large decorations or vibrant street scenes.
I spent time with my Uncle Knolan Benfield, who taught me a great deal about photography, in Kona, Hawaii, where we taught lighting to the School of Photography for Youth With A Mission.

2. Use External Light Sources

  • Cell Phone Flash: Turn on your phone’s flash for better lighting on your subject.
  • Buddy System: Ask a friend to shine their phone flashlight toward your subject. Position the light at an angle to reduce harsh shadows.
  • Portable Light: Bring a small, portable light for even lighting if you feel extra prepared.

3. Find the Right Background Balance

  • Compose your shot to showcase the people and the background. For example, crouch slightly or shoot from a lower angle to include both faces and the Christmas tree topper.

4. Adjust for Low Light

  • Use your phone or camera’s Night Mode to capture more detail in dim settings.
  • Use a tripod or steady the camera against a solid surface for sharper images in low light.

5. Experiment with Angles

  • Don’t always center your subject; try placing them off-center to add creative flair.
  • Play with reflections, like ornaments or puddles, to create unique compositions.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Skipping the Light

  • Faces in darkness are the most common issue. Don’t rely solely on ambient light, especially when the background is brightly lit. Use a flash or external light source to illuminate your subject.

2. Staying Too Far Away

  • If you’re too far back, your subjects might look like silhouettes against the bright background. Move closer to ensure they’re the stars of the photo.

3. Overexposing the Background

  • Many cameras struggle to balance light between the foreground and background. If your background looks blown out (too bright), reduce the exposure or try HDR mode to preserve details.

4. Ignoring Composition

  • Avoid placing your subjects in front of cluttered or distracting backgrounds. Instead, position them against precise, symmetrical, or aesthetically pleasing settings.

5. Relying Only on Automatic Settings

  • While automatic settings can be helpful, take a moment to explore manual options or use apps with adjustable focus and exposure for better control.

A Real-Life Example

Last night at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, I noticed many people trying to capture the grandeur of the organist or the stunning stage behind them. Unfortunately, their faces were often in shadow, making it hard to appreciate the moment fully. They could have transformed their photos into beautifully lit memories by simply using their phone’s flashlight or asking someone to light them up with a flashlight.

Don’t let poor lighting or Composition keep you from capturing the magic this holiday season. With these tips and a little creativity, your photos can bring smiles for years. Happy holidays and happy shooting!