How to Take Better Christmas Photos

Or, How Not to Chop Off Everybody's Heads

Holidays brings family members together that may not have seen one another in years. This presents the perfect opportunity for amateur photographers in the family to capture moments that will be cherished for generations.

Many people get overwhelmed during the holidays trying to get the perfect Christmas photos. This also is one of the main reasons that Christmas photos don't turn out as well as you would like. The best advice for a photographer is to be relaxed. This holds true both behind the camera and in front of the lens. Stay relaxed and keep your photo subjects relaxed as well.

A basic photography tip that holds true in almost any photo shot is to get closer to your subject. Get up close and personal for sure. Your Christmas photos will look much more professional. For portraits, get at eye level for a more personal touch.

Don't pose every picture that you take. Try to balance posed photos with some candid shots. Try to catch some unusual pairings, such as some of the older kids playing with littler ones. Or maybe catch a touching moment of a teenager hugging his grandmother.

Don't forget to take Christmas photos that help tell the story of the holiday get-together. Take photos of the Christmas table setting, all of the presents under the tree, guests arriving at the front door, and any other events that will add details to your holiday photo story.

Try different perspectives when taking pictures for Christmas. If you always take landscape shots, try turning your camera around and taking a vertical shot. Get down low and look up at your photo subject. Squat down low to get eye level with pets or small children.