5 Tips to Photograph the Holidays

# 1: Get in the photos
Yep, you heard that right. Embrace the chaos, morning PJs, messy hair and capture the holidays for what they really are in your home (or outside of the home).

• What all do you need? Tripod, timer, done. 

Here's a tripod we purchased in the spring which was great for a hiking trip in Arizona. It literally can grip, wrap to anything. It's also lightweight so dragging it with you doesn't feel like a chore. ​

• JOBY GorillaPod Hybrid Multiuse and Flexible Camera Tripod ​​

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# 2: Light it up
Lighting is key to photographs. If it's dark, use a tripod (ahem, again the one above is great). A second option? Turn on some lights. If you're still looking for a little bit of assistance below are a two great options we use (for personal and business situations). 

• For your phone: Ring Light
• For your SLR:​ Video Light

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#3: Capture emotion
Making cookies with the kids? Giving mom a special gift that you know will bring her to tears? Be ready to capture it. We're not saying stay connected to your camera 24/7 to capture everything, but anticipating those special moments of laughs or tears make for the best images. ​

• Tip: To quickly snap a photo, swipe left on your locked screen and put your camera into burst mode. Continually press the shutter button and later pick your favorite shots. Another option? Put your camera in video mode and press the white circle on the bottom left to capture images within the video.
• Check out this book on Amazon. Just $12 on the Kindle app!  Relationship Portraits: Capture Emotion in Black & White Photography

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#4 Change your perspective 
Get eye level with you little ones. Shoot over the should of your kids. Lurk around the tree or photograph through a window. Peek through the crack of their bedroom door. Do what every you need to for a new perspective.

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#5 Tell your story, authentically
Spend the season capturing genuine moments. Capture ALL the details: the big, the little, the messy, the joyous. Welcome the good and the bad. Finding beauty in the imperfection. The entire season's story will be waiting on your camera roll (or memory card). You can then quickly upload and create a 2017 Holiday book. Here's a few of our favorites:

• Artifact Uprising
• Blurb

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Holiday photographs you’ll be happy you captured:

• Picking Out Your Tree
• Decorating Your Tree
• Ornaments on the Tree
• Indoor Decorations
• Your Outdoor House Lights
• Driving Around Looking at Lights
• Holiday Traditions
• Presents Being Wrapped, Presents Under the tree​​
• Presents Being Unwrapped - Get facial expressions
• Christmas Cards

• Your Outdoor House Lights
• The Parades
• Visiting Santa
• Christmas Jammies
• Gingerbread House Decorating
• Cookie Baking and Decorating
• Reading Christmas Stories
• Shopping!

The best photos are the ones you take...just for you.
The most important part is to be in the moment with your family and have fun. 
The happiness captured, the meal shared — they’re the experiences that make up this season. 
​So do your best to take the photos that matter to you, just don't forget to put the camera down to experience it for yourself. ​​