You Don’t Have To Be A Professional Photographer To Get Great Holiday Photos
At Sanders Law Group, we devote our practice to protecting the rights of photographers around the globe. We want to ensure that professional photographers receive credit, compensation, and damages when someone violates their copyright.
We have a deep appreciation for the time and energy professional photographers put into their work. Whether you are setting the perfect mood and background for a portrait, finding a spot with perfect natural light, or patiently waiting for the appearance of an admired celebrity or athlete, our lawyers know how much skill is involved in getting a great shot.
But taking pictures is not always just about work! This holiday season, with families and friends gathering together once again, people will be snapping away trying to capture some special moments. Unless everyone in the family is a professional photographer and comes with their equipment, your holiday pics will likely be taken on phones by a whole bunch of amateurs.
Busting out the phone for casual and candid shots is always fun- the kids getting goofy as they open gifts under the tree, grandpa snoozing at the dinner table after the meal, the dog sneaking food off the table. These photos are some of the best ways to capture the true spirit of the holidays, even if they are crooked, slightly out of focus, or poorly lit.
But, you might also want to take some “staged” photos of your family members and friends too. If we have learned anything during the pandemic, it’s that time with loved ones is precious. You should try to capture this time with quality pictures you can cherish forever. Getting good photographs of the people you are celebrating with can be more challenging than you think.
Tips to Help You Get Great Holiday Photos
Put someone in charge – Pick a person to run the show when it comes to gathering the troops to pose for pictures. Encourage them to choose a time when there is not much happening and everyone looks fresh – perhaps before the big meal or shortly after everyone arrives. Consider “warning” your guests that you will expect them to cooperate and pose for pictures.
Try to use natural light – Get outside for photos if you can. Natural light can vastly improve the quality of your photos. Aim for open shade to avoid the shadows direct sunlight can cause.
If you are inside, natural light from a window can help. But, don’t have the subject standing in front of the window – that can result in shadows on their faces, making them difficult to see.
Be aware of your background – Whether you are outside or inside, take stock of what is behind the people in your photos. Try to avoid taking pictures in front of clutter. You want to focus on the faces, not the mess.
Use chairs – If you want to photograph a large group, avoid lining people up in rows. Rows make it easy to lose faces in your pictures. Chairs can help you set up a better picture. Place people in chairs in the front (maybe the older folks) and have others gather around them, filling in spaces. You can also have people sit on the arms of the chairs of at the feet of those seated.
Take pictures at eye level – Eye level is usually the best angle to take pictures that flatter everyone.
Use the timer on your phone or camera – If you want to include everyone in a photo you might have to use a timer. Learn how to do this in advance of the family gathering! When you use a timer, be sure to have a tripod set up or a stack of something like books to ensure the camera/phone is at eye level and steady.
Hopefully, these tips can help you capture some special holiday memories. Once you get pictures you like, you can print and frame them for yourself use them to make gifts to give to everyone next year!
Call Sanders Law Group, For Copyright Help
If you are a professional photographer and need help enforcing or protecting your copyright, call Sanders Law Group today at (800) 979-3707 for a free case evaluation. We can help you collect damages when someone infringes on your copyright.
