How to Get a Great Outdoor Christmas Picture
Don’t make the mistake of thinking that a Christmas photo has to be taken inside the house.
Or even in your front yard. To find a spectacular photo opportunity, you don’t have to look any further than what the world around you has already provided.
You can find some wonderful settings and great backdrops to make a special picture this year.
If you live in an area where it doesn’t snow – maybe your state is more famous for its beaches than for creating a winter wonderland, you can head to the beach.
Think you can’t create a Christmas look at the beach? Think again. Head to the beach and use the damp sand to build Christmas decorations. Giant balls and ribbons, Christmas boxes, a jolly Santa or two and a snowman or two.
You can bring props from home to give the sand decorations added pizzas. Bring oversized bows for the sand Christmas boxes. Take along a Santa hat, beard and boots for your sand Santa. For the snowman, bring along a few scarves, a black hat, coal and a carrot. Not only will you have fun, but you’ll have a unique picture as well.
If you would prefer not to leave your yard to make an outdoor Christmas picture, then use your own if you have it or rent a gazebo. Before it’s time for the picture, decorate the gazebo in hundreds of tiny white Christmas lights. Hang Christmas wreaths and bows. Have family members dress in red or green or silver and black and sit on white wrought iron benches.
If you live out in the country or on a farm, then you can have a country Christmas photo done where everyone gathers together in a wagon decked out in Christmas lights and bells. Taking good family Christmas photos can be a way to forever capture those special moments. Remember these final tips when you’re taking Christmas photos.
- Take more than one shot of each kind you want in case someone blinks or moves. Add some funny photos to the mix. Even if someone is doing something goofy in the shot. It’s often the pictures that aren’t posed that turn out to be the ones that are the funniest.
- Practice before you take the shots – especially if you’re using a new camera – but don’t expect perfection. Sitting still is boring. Subjects get restless.
- If you’re taking pictures of a large family gathering for your Christmas portrait, don’t have them all in the exact same pose. In the top row, have family members standing back to back, the second row kneels and the front row should sit.
- Get in the shot. Don’t always be the one behind the camera. You’re an important part of the family too.
- Turn the camera sideways for a shot from a different angle.
- Try taking your Christmas photos in black and white.
- If you’re trying to get dogs in a picture and they keep looking away, their attention is easier to get if you keep a squeeze toy in your pocket and squeeze it gently.
With a little patience and a little practice, you’ll have a Christmas family portrait that you’ll love for years to come!
