Tips for capturing special moments with your kids this festive season
Capturing the Magic of Christmas: Photographing Special Moments with Your Kids
Christmas is a time of nostalgia, bringing us back to our own childhood memories and traditions, and for parents, it’s a joy to watch children embrace the season with wide-eyed wonder. Each year, our little ones grow a bit taller, their faces change slightly, and their excitement transforms as they understand Christmas in new ways. Capturing these precious moments on camera becomes a time capsule, one you can look back on years from now and relive the memories.
From the glow of the Christmas tree to the anticipation of setting out treats for Santa, here are some tips for capturing the magic and joy of Christmas with your kids—beautifully and meaningfully.
1. The Classic Christmas Tree Shot
One of the most timeless Christmas pictures is the one in front of the tree. This is often where the magic happens—unwrapping gifts, sneaking a peek at presents, or even sharing quiet moments. Here are some tips for the perfect Christmas tree shot:
Use Natural Light if Possible: If you’re capturing pictures in the daytime, try turning off artificial lights and letting natural light illuminate the room. This soft glow helps capture a warm, nostalgic feel.
Experiment with Low Light: If you’re shooting in the evening with the tree lights on, switch off the overhead lights and use only the tree’s illumination. Set your camera’s ISO higher to let in more light, but be careful not to go too high to avoid graininess.
Capture Candids: Instead of asking your kids to sit and pose, let them do something natural, like hanging ornaments or sitting in front of the tree looking at the lights. This brings out the genuine excitement and wonder they feel.
2. Watching Them Grow Year by Year
Creating a tradition of taking Christmas photos each year will give you a visual timeline of your children’s growth. For added nostalgia, try recreating a specific pose or background each year.
Pick a Tradition or Place to Repeat: Consider taking a photo in the same spot every year—whether it's in front of the tree, by the fireplace, or even outdoors bundled up in coats. As the years go by, you’ll have a beautiful series that shows how much they’ve changed.
Add a Favorite Christmas Outfit or Accessory: Whether it’s a Santa hat, Christmas pajamas, or a favorite sweater, something iconic in their outfit adds a timeless touch. This also becomes a fun memory as they outgrow each item each year!
3. Capturing the Anticipation
Some of the best Christmas memories are created in the lead-up to Christmas Day. Capture these moments of anticipation and preparation, which may feel ordinary now but will be precious in the future.
Setting Out Carrots for the Reindeer: Document the excitement and anticipation as they set out carrots or snacks for the reindeer. These simple actions will be wonderful to look back on as they grow older.
Santa’s Milk and Cookies: Grab a quick snap of the kids placing cookies and milk out for Santa. You might even photograph the “aftermath” of Santa’s visit with a half-eaten cookie and an empty glass!
Christmas Crafts: If your children enjoy making decorations or holiday crafts, these moments capture the magic of the season from their perspective. Try to capture both the process and the final result.
4. Perfecting the Low Light Challenge
Christmas often means shooting in low light, especially if you want to capture that cozy, ambient feel of holiday decorations.
Adjust Your Camera Settings: In low-light settings, a higher ISO and a slower shutter speed will help you get brighter photos. Aim for an ISO between 800-1600, depending on the light available. A tripod can help stabilize the camera if you need to use a slow shutter speed.
Get Comfortable with “Noise”: Low-light photos can be slightly grainy, especially if you don’t have professional equipment. Embrace the grain! This texture can add a nostalgic, film-like quality to your photos.
Focus on the Details: Capture the soft glow of fairy lights, reflections in ornaments, and little hands reaching for presents. Christmas photography doesn’t always have to be crisp; it’s about evoking the warmth and mood of the season.
5. Tips for Candid Christmas Shots
The best moments are often unplanned. You might catch your child looking up in awe at the decorations, concentrating on opening a gift, or grinning from ear to ear when they see Santa’s “footprints” by the fireplace.
Stay Ready with the Camera: Moments pass quickly, so keeping your camera nearby lets you capture those sweet, spontaneous reactions.
Get on Their Level: Photos taken at a child’s eye level feel more intimate and draw the viewer into the experience.
Keep the Focus on Expression: At Christmas, expressions matter more than perfect composition. Zoom in on their faces, or capture them in their own little world—absorbed in the magic around them.
6. Editing for the Nostalgic Feel
Once you’ve captured your photos, editing can help bring out that classic Christmas feeling.
Warm Up the Colours: Adding warmth in editing can enhance the cozy Christmas vibe. Focus on bringing out the reds, greens, and golds in your photos.
Play with Light and Contrast: A slight boost in contrast and brightness can make the Christmas lights pop and give the images more of a magical feel.
Capturing your children at Christmas each year means so much more than just snapping photos; it’s creating memories that you’ll cherish for years. From the twinkling tree to setting out treats for Santa, these photos will be precious reminders of the excitement, love, and joy of the season.
So grab your camera, follow these tips, and capture those beautiful moments this Christmas—each photo a part of a story your family will treasure for years to come.
If you are looking to capture special Christmas moments this season, there are still places left on my Christmas mini sessions. Find out more at the link below.
