Christmas Photos

First you need to remember to take your camera, not that this is hard now days as for a lot of people it is their mobile phone.

Secondly you need to sit down and write a list of your families traditions.

What makes Christmas special for you?

This can be going to mass on Christmas eve, having a full hot turkey dinner with all the dressings or maybe someone special who plays Santa and hands out all the presents. Is their someone in your family who always wraps their presents beautifully or presents them in a special way?

My list would be

1. All the immediate family getting together for breakfast.

2. Opening our presents to each other one at a time so we can see what each person gets.

3. Going to church for a Christmas Day service.

4. Then we go to the in-laws for a Christmas lunch.

5. More prescient unwrapping.

6. Catching up with relatives you only see once a year.

7. Having an afternoon siesta.

8. Driving to the other side of the families place.

9. Dad always reads the story of Christ's birth.

10. Handing out more presents.

11. Usually a cold meal with everyone talking to each other and catching up on all the news.

So now how do we go about telling a story. The first thing is to set the scene. A good way to do this is to take some photos of the Christmas decorations in the house and in the street.

Take some photos of someone wrapping a present or if you are by yourself, partially wrapped presents.

Then on Christmas morning sneak around getting photos of those who are still asleep.

For us the next lot of images would be breakfast, show the cooks preparing and cooking the breakfast, taking the traditional everyone at the table photo and then I like to get a single photo of each person there.

Try to also capture the unexpected moments, like when someone spills a drink, or everyone reaching for a piece of food at the same time.

Next it is a photo of the tree or cradle with all the presents piled around it.

I take photos of the people unwrapping their presents and try to capture that moment when they realise what it is. You can also take pictures of what they get.

At this stage I look for those quirky images, the ones of the pets or babies having fun with the wrapping paper, unexpected expressions on peoples faces. Often it's good to get a picture of the person who gave the gift as the other one is unwrapping it.

Take a photo of everyone dressed ready for church and even take a photo or two at the church. Often they will have a nativity scene or very distinctive decorations.

Then proceed like this through the day. If people are having a siesta then get photos of them sleeping. That uncle with the big belly, take a photo of just his belly to show how full and satisfied everyone is.

If we have family with us from other towns or countries I like to get a group photo. If possible take it outside where the light is better or if it is cold and snowing inside using a flash.

If you have a camera that allows you to set the white balance, now is the time to use this control. If the light is fluorescent lighting then set the white balance to fluorescent, if not then set it to tungsten.

Try to add some fun to this shot, have party poppers or Christmas hats. try to get them all jumping with joy.

Try to get some of the children playing with the toys and the older relatives looking on, just happy to be part of it all.

Make the photography part of the fun of the day. Don't worry if everyone's not smiling or looking at you.

Check your image and anyone who is not just the way you would like, get another image just of them to complete your picture. You can photo shop it later.

Don't forget to take photos of the mess. Paper everywhere, empty plates, leftover food, empty drink bottles and try to get at least one at the end of the day to show how exhausted everyone is.

Also make sure you capture some with yourself in them as well.

In this digital age we can afford to take lots of shots, it's free, and then we can choose which ones to use.

Most families have their idiosyncrasies or quirks that make them different and often you only recognise these when everyone is together.

Try to capture these.

Finally have fun, make sure you are still part of everything and enjoy every moment.