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10 Tips to take the Perfect Holiday Photo with Your Phone!

Steph Shanks
Nov 25, 2015
2 min read

So its that time of year again. Except its not how it used to be, everyone is on their phones. Showing pictures, showing video, escaping family awkwardness. You probably have your own reason for not leaving your phone in your car.

I have created a list of ways to use your phone to take great pics this holiday season!

1.

Organize your subjects. Be the photographer here people! Put taller people in the middle and shorter people on the outside or taller people on the sides and shorter people in the middle. The key is to give your group a 'shape'.

2. Make sure everyone is looking. This might be difficult if you have a family like mine. They last thing they know how to do is follow direction. Make sure you take quite a few shots to insure you get one good one. Also, calling out the almighty 'cheese' might get some attention.

3. Composition. Try not putting your subject in the center of your picture, by moving it to the left or the right. It makes the picture more interesting to look at. Tell a story with your image!

4. Multiple exposures. Since you will be taking more then enough photos anyways, try shifting where your camera is focusing. You know that little square box in your frame? By aiming it at different subjects, it will change the exposure. That is why its hard to get a good picture with your smart phone when its too light outside or too dark.

5.Take Candids. Not everyone can smile on command. Keep your ears open for loud laughter, giggles, ect. Whenever I am shooting an event, I tend to migrate to the loudest table, they are the ones having the most fun! Kids playing, opening gifts ect. The moments might not mean much now, but 10 -20 years from now they will be priceless!

6. Take pictures of decorations. These are called 'stills'. Try not using your flash on these ones. Make sure you have a steady hand and some natural light. You might get enough good ones to use on Christmas Cards!

7. Find a good light source. You don't want to take pictures of families standing in front of a large window. You do want to use the light to 'fill' the subject. You can even mess around with dramatic lighting. Depending on the mood you are going for.

8.Shoot in High Resolution. Small Res. is good for posting on facebook, but by making sure your camera is set to the highest res. you will be able to print images. You know grandma is going to want a copy to show at her next bridge tournament!

9. Hold Still !\Make sure when taking a group shot you tell your peeps to hold still. Blurry faces, hands and bodies might be a cool 'spoof' photo, but if you are looking to take great pics, just make sure they know what to do.

10. Post Process. You can do so many cool things with photos on your phone these days. With instagram, font candy, facebook you can edit the mood right into the picture. Go ahead and get creative!