Once you have children, the holiday season kind of sneaks up on you. Before you know it, Christmas cookies and open boxes are scattered everywhere. For moms and dads alike, it’s kind of a blur. But as we scurry around trying to make the most of it all, we can’t lose sight of those that matter the most.
Similar to the holiday season, time with our kids comes and goes so quickly. While it may seem like you have all the time in the world, it’s gone before you know it. Even though it can be super easy to settle into a routine, we can never re-live the moments our babies and infants bring us.
So, I thought I’d take a second out of my busy Thanksgiving weekend to share some Christmas photo tips for baby! If it’s their first holiday, then you’ll want to make sure it gets done right.
Getting Started With Baby Christmas Portraits.
When I was thinking about Christmas photo tips for baby, there’s really only one thing that gets in the way: overzealous creativity. When you go “too big” to capture your baby for the holidays, it can be rather overwhelming. Most of us already have enough going on.. So try to keep things simple and focus on your bundle of joy!
No matter how you photograph your children this year, having a gameplan works wonders. It’s why so many parents hire an experienced professional that can provide a little creative direction. Before managing a photoshoot, I make sure I communicate well with parents in order to determine an ideal shot list. This helps us make the most of our scheduled time together.
Last Minute Insight From the Photographer.
Ultimately, you don’t have to go all out to come up with something memorably creative. Some of my favorite pictures have involved basic holiday decorations and personal belongings. Keep in mind, the toughest part always involves the kiddo’s cooperation. I would know – I have 6 kids of my own. But I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Each and every holiday season reminds me of how much I have to be thankful for. It’s easy to feel “full” after Thanksgiving, but a Christmas holiday shoot is a great way to end the year!
Prop Tips for Baby's Christmas Photos.
I’m sure everyone has a box of Christmas decorations somewhere. It’s hard for me to throw anything away, so I have all kinds of stuff from past holidays – even if it doesn’t function anymore.
Although I may have more props than most, using what you have is one of the best Christmas photo tips for baby I can give. There’s no need to spend money if you don’t have to.
- Decorative Christmas Items. Nativity scenes, lights, ornaments, faux Christmas tress, wreaths, fake snow, stockings, mistletoes and other holiday figurines (snowmen, angels, reindeer, etc..) all fit the bill. You can even wrap up a few boxes and add some bows if you’d like!
- Backdrops and Placements. Setting up your display may seem difficult, but blankets or bed sheets that are red, green, silver, gold, or white will do just fine. You can hang them on the wall as a backdrop or lay them on the floor. If you’re not satisfied with the materials you have, use wrapping paper (tape it on a folding table or plywood to set your baby on)!
- Make Sure Everything Matches. The last thing you want is a final portrait with a bunch of random Christmas decorations that take away from the babe. Like I said before, “less is more”. So if you’re struggling to piece everything together, try to find a common theme or texture. A sprinkle of wood grain or distressed metal can really enhance the image.
- Custom Christmas Props Are Fun! Some of my former clients have even gone as far as building different props for their portrait session. Painting or drawing gingerbread houses, big candy canes or other Christmas items on cardboard isn’t as difficult as you may think! My husband can create something for you if you’d like!
I personally enjoy organizing a few different theme variations to see which comes out best. Things that’ll mesh well with your baby’s Christmas attire is also something worth considering.
Photo Tips to Find the Perfect Angle.
Before you place your baby in the center of your Christmas theme, make sure you know how you’re going to go about photographing them. I try capture as many practice shots as I can using all of the props I’ve allocated. This way, I’m able to adjust lighting and angles to visually compare what looks better.
Remember that the only thing important in this memory is the baby. They should be the center of attention, not Frosty or Santa. So if something is creating a distraction, consider removing it. Once you’ve determined which shots look the best, it’s time to begin placing your little bundle of joy.
Find Inspiration From Other Parents.
Oh yea, don’t be afraid to add your own twist to someone else’s idea! Making something original is a lot more fun and rewarding – especially when the entire family is involved! Even if you mirror someone else’s idea, try to change the background, pose, or props to make the presentation your own.
Ensuring the Session Goes Smoothly.
Last but not least, make sure you have someone that can help you keep the child entertained and still while you’re capturing pictures. Focusing the camera and keeping the little one in place is a lot more difficult than it sounds. It can take a lot of time. If you’re counting on natural lighting at a certain time of the day, you can quickly lose it and lower the quality of the photography.
As a mother myself, I know how impactful a set process can be. So I hope these Christmas photo tips for baby are helpful. If you happen to live in Desoto County, Mississippi or Memphis, Tennessee, I’d love to help you capture your bundle of joy this holiday season. Thanks for stopping by!
