Hello Everyone,

So Christmas is almost here and New Year too. How many of you are still busy looking for last minute gifts, menus, ... (I'm a very last minute kind of person....).

One very important part of the holiday season is, at least for me, the family pictures. It's usually a time to get together, with your family or with your friends, and you want to cherish all these memories. Even more if you have kids, you want to capture the pure joy in their eyes when they open their gifts.

So I prepared just a few tips for you, to make your pictures even more special :-)

1- Take Photographs of all your preparation.

For me and my kids the days leading to Christmas are even more fun than the big day itself. Making the Christmas tree, the decorations, the family cooking together, ... So I certainly don't want to forget to photograph that too.

2- Take Photographs of the details.

You can take a close-up picture of your Christmas tree, of your diner table, of the turkey, the pile of gifts, ...

I like to take a close-up pic of the food. It's not only a fun memory but it does also make great background pictures if you plan to do later a photo album or scrapbook.

3- Take Candid Portraits of your family members/friends

We often look better when we are not posing so try to get more candid portraits.

Photograph people when they are arriving and greeting each other, photograph your kids when they are opening their gifts, ... My girls like to get silly with the Christmas decorations, so it's always a good opportunity for portraits too. 

4- Take Black and White pics of people interacting with each others.

In my opinion black and white pictures, because there is no more the distraction of the colors, emphasize the relationships, the feelings, the emotions, ... 

5- Avoid using your flash.

Unless you have a fancy external flash and are able to "bounce" it against a wall to avoid direct light on your subject, I would suggest to avoid flash all together. Most of the time you end up with red eyes or yellowish pictures (or both!!!). If you have the option on your camera, boost the ISO when you are shooting inside (800 ISO should do the trick) and you should be fine. And why not doing your group picture outside, there is more space, usually better background and the light is much better. :-)

In any case, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!! :-)