How to Take Your Own Family Christmas Photos With Baby
The Holiday Season has arrived, and you may want to take some Christmas family photos, especially if it’s your first Christmas with a baby. But for whatever reason, hiring a professional photographer this year seems out of reach. While I believe in the value of a professional photographer, let me reassure you that you can take your own Christmas family photos and get your baby looking at the camera as well.
As a parent of a four-month-old, I recently took our own Christmas photos this past weekend, and I’m thrilled to share some tips I learned with you.
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Choosing the Perfect Location for Your Family Photos
If this is your first time taking your own photos, you might want to do it in the comfort of your home. That way, you can control the environment and take all the necessary time without weather concerns or onlookers.
Okay, so it’s decided. You’re taking your own family Christmas photos at home. So now you have to choose where in your home. I suggest putting up your Christmas decorations and picking the best little corner in your house as your backdrop. Ensuring plenty of natural light for bright and cheerful photos.
We live in a small one-bedroom apartment, so space is not our friend, but we made it work. We transformed a small corner next to the TV into our winter wonderland. Lights and ornaments adorned the Christmas tree since the TV would be in the picture. We enhanced the TV stand with festive decor. A video of a crackling fireplace played in the background, adding warmth and charm to our photos.
Equipment You Need
If you don’t have a camera, don’t worry. You only need an iPhone or any smartphone with a good camera. The cameras on our phones these days shoot really great, high-quality photos.
You’ll also need a Bluetooth clicker or just use the self-timer. I recommend a tripod to set up your camera or phone. And another phone or laptop to help distract your little one. More on this later on.
We arranged everything while our baby was napping to ensure a smooth and enjoyable photoshoot experience once he woke up.
What You Should Wear For Your Christmas Family Photo
Depending on your family vibe, you can dress up like you’re going to a Christmas party or keep it casual and fun like we did and get matching Christmas pajamas for your whole family.
I always wanted to get matching Christmas pajamas for my husband and me. Now that we have a baby, I’m so happy he’s as enthusiastic to be all matchy-matchy. I’m so glad because I’m in love with our family photos.
Getting the Perfect Shot of Your Baby Looking at the Camera
So typically, when you have a photographer, they’re in charge of getting your little one to look at the camera. So, the way we got around that is simple.
We set up a phone on a tripod just above the lens, playing the “Happy Song” music video. Our baby’s attention was effortlessly directed towards the camera when we started snapping away, and it was perfect.
Crafting Your Holiday Cards
When turning your festive photos into holiday cards, Shutterfly is a reliable go-to. Having used their services for years, I appreciate the quality and design options they offer. When I was getting married, I ordered a lot of my paper goods from them, like Save the Dates, Wedding Guest books, and photo albums.
They usually have deals happening and ship pretty fast. Here’s the link to the design I used for our Christmas cards this year.
Embrace the joy of creating your own Christmas family photos this holiday season. With a bit of creativity and the right preparations, you can capture moments that will be cherished for years to come. Happy Holidays!
