Capturing the Holidays:
How to Photograph the Magic of Christmas
The holidays are an amazing time to be a photographer. It's a season of glowing lights, festive decor, yummy treats, joy and laughter, and human connection. Whether you’re shooting with a DSLR, a mirrorless camera, or your phone, you can capture the feeling, not just the scene. Christmas is the perfect time to tell stories through your lens; stories of tradition, joy, and peace. As photographers, we are the memory keepers.
Embrace the Glow
Holiday light is warm, twinkling, and comforting. You can use it to your advantage. For indoor shooting, you can turn off the harsh lighting and let the glow of a candle or the Christmas Tree provide beautiful and warm lighting. For outdoor shooting, try photographing during the “blue hour,” just after sunset, when the sky’s deep tones make Christmas lights shine even brighter. Capturing the lights at Christmas can be magical.
Capture bokeh for those beautiful round circles of light: To achieve bokeh in an image, you need to use a fast lens—the faster the better. You'll want to use a lens with at least an f/2.8 aperture, with faster apertures of f/2, f/1.8 or f/1.4 being ideal. Putting your lens in manual mode and turning the dial to achieve the wanted blur gives you the most control.
You can also capture starbursts with Christmas lights. Using a DSLR to achieve this effect is best, and ideally a tripod or somewhere to rest your camera. To get the starburst effect you need to set your aperture to as high as possible (at least f16), which means you will need a long shutter speed.
Try Different Perspectives
Changing the angle of a shot can make a big impact. Position yourself low for a child’s-eye view of gift unwrapping, or shoot from above to frame a beautifully set table. Reflections in ornaments or windows can also create unique compositions. The holidays are full of repetition—lights, garlands, ornaments, snowflakes. Look for patterns and symmetry to give visual interest. Instead of taking a photo of a poinsettia or a wreath, get in close and photography just a portion. Go outside and capture an image through a window. Shoot up from the bottom of the tree to make it look taller. This is a fun way to capture unique images.
Focus on Details
Some of the best holiday photos are small and sometimes overlooked details. Think about a hand tying a ribbon, a cup of cocoa, or ornaments reflecting light. Capture someone's hands opening a gift... this gives a feeling of anticipation. Capture an image of your table setting. These shots build interest and depth into your storytelling. Use a wide aperture (like f/2.8 or f/4) to create a soft background blur that draws attention to your subject.
Capture Yearly Poses
Many people have yearly photo traditions. Family photos by the tree, matching pajama pictures, gathered around the table for the feast. It can be fun to have a yearly tradition because you get to see the changes in the kids and grandkids throughout the years. Our family enjoys taking serious and silly group photos with anyone who is able to attend the celebration. We also have have photoprops out that the kids enjoy every year. If you don't already have the tradition, maybe this is the year to start one!
Capture Candid Images
The holidays are all about making and keeping memories... take a moment to stop and observe. Watch for connection and conversation, people strolling on lighted streets, kids sneaking peeks at the wrapped gifts, or that quiet moment when someone pauses by the tree to admire an ornament. Candid photography feels authentic can often times be the most cherished images.
Black and White
Don't underestimate the power of a Black and White image. We think of Christmas as colorful and festive, but a B&W photo removes the noise and let's you focus on the mood and the story.
Get Creative
Give yourself permission to spend a part of each day flexing your creative muscle. If you are wrapping gifts, stop and take a shot of your creation. Play with motion blur by zooming your lens out and in while photographing your lights. Get out your lens ball and play. Design a Christmas Tree out of unusual items. Photograph your cookies and candies. Use a spoon and reflect the image on your wrapping paper. Create a Christmas Still Life photo. This creative break might be just what you need in the middle of the chaos!
In the end, the best holiday photos aren’t about perfection—they’re about presence. Each image is a reminder that beauty lives in the fleeting: the sparkle of a light, the warmth of a hug, the laughter that fills a room. So this December, capture not just what you see, but what you feel.
Ironically, one of the best ways to take better holiday photos is to spend a few moments without taking any. Be present. Feel the moment. Then, when you lift your camera again, you’ll see more clearly what truly matters.