There are some simple ways you can amp up the festive cheer and capture some festive photos using simply your phone and some Christmassy props you probably already have at home.
Festive photo ideas
“Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind.”
— Calvin Coolidge
Baubles
I got this brilliantly easy and effective idea from Meg Loeks, a very talented photographer and one worth following on Instagram.
Take fishing line and tie baubles at varying lengths on an embroidery hoop. Take the photo through the hoop to capture this ‘floating baubles’ effect. For maximum effect, keep the background simple so the kid is the real star of the show.
You can see Meg’s original, gorgeously moody and smoothly edited, photo here.
Gingerbread cookies
Just adding in some simple gingerbread cookies amps up the festive effect, especially if you’ve perched your subjects in front of the Christmas tree or added some sparkly lights in the background.
Through the wreath
Framing your photos through a wreath adds both a beautiful border to your images and frames them in a way that immediately reads as “Christmas”.
In this image, I used a gold tinsel wreath, but a green and holly wreath would also be effective. Simply hold the wreath up and take photos through the hole in the middle.
Under the tree
So easy and effective! Ensure the Christmas tree branches are in the foreground, but not in focus, and photograph your little one through the blurry green foliage.
I hope these simple and effective use of props and poses help you to capture the magic of YOUR family at home in this very special (and very crazy) time of year.
Samantha Steele Photography 