‘Tis the season for twinkling lights, cozy sweaters, and family fun! And what’s more festive than a photo of your little ones in front of the Christmas tree? But let’s be real, wrangling kids and getting a great shot can be a bit of a challenge, especially in the low light of winter. Here are my top tips (DSLR camera or several of these are also helpful when using your iPhone) on how to get some great photos of your kiddos by the tree this year.

PHOTOGRAPH DURING THE DAY
You might think the best time to take these photos is at night, but actually, all the photos in this post were taken around 10 AM! The key is to find good lighting. You need enough light to capture the sparkle of the Christmas lights and to illuminate your little ones.

1) Natural light: If possible, position the tree near a window to utilize natural light. This will create a soft, warm glow. Turn off all other light sources (except the tree lights). Open every window so that light will pour in!

2) Exposure tip: Expose for the brightest part of their face- usually the cheekbone closest to the window. To do this on your iPhone, just touch that area and the exposure will adjust. Turn up your ISO. Being indoors means it’s likely darker. Start with an ISO of 800 and go up if necessary.

3) Candid shots: Don’t just pose your child. Capture spontaneous moments of laughter, play, or wonder. or directed poses: For more formal portraits, try simple poses like sitting or standing next to the tree.

4) Experiment with angles: Get LOW! Shooting from a low point means you get more lights and less floor, plus you’ll get a child’s perspective of the tree.

5) Use a tripod: A tripod can help you take sharp, steady photos, especially in low-light conditions. Use a self-timer to include yourself in the photo. Be sure to use the lowest f-stop you can (2.8 is preferred) and a higher shutter speed (250 or higher, any lower and you will risk getting blurry images due to camera shake) to capture those wiggly kiddos!

7) Incorporate Props: Have them DO or HOLD something. Sing a Christmas carol, eat a candy cane, hold a present, or look for their favourite ornament. I also love the small battery-powered twinkle lights; they keep the kids busy and always look great! Your photos will be more authentic this way.