3 Simple Tips to Take Better Holiday Photos
Because the best moments deserve better than blurry, dark, or forgettable pictures.
The holidays arrive fast. Laughter fills the room, stories overlap, kids grow an inch overnight, and suddenly—just like that—it’s over. What remains are the photos. And too often, those photos don’t quite live up to how the moment felt.
Here are three simple, practical tips you can use this holiday season to create photos that actually tell the story you’ll want to remember.
1. Chase the Light (Even Indoors)
Good light matters more than any camera ever will.
When possible, position people near windows rather than under overhead lights. Turn faces toward the light, even slightly. If the room feels dim, don’t be afraid to move a chair, shift a couch, or gently suggest everyone slide a little closer together.
Quick win:
Turn off harsh overhead lights and let window light or lamps do the work. Softer light = softer shadows = better photos.
2. Step Back and Let the Moment Happen
The strongest holiday photos are rarely posed.
Instead of lining everyone up and shouting “cheese,” watch for moments:
- A shared laugh
- A quiet conversation
- A child completely lost in excitement
Give people space to be themselves. Take a few steps back. Shoot a little wider. Let the scene breathe.
Mindset shift:
You’re not capturing perfection—you’re capturing connection.
3. Get Eye-Level (Especially With Kids)
Photos feel more personal when they’re taken at eye level.
For adults, that might mean standing naturally instead of shooting down. For kids, it almost always means kneeling, sitting, or lying on the floor. Eye-level images instantly feel more intimate and intentional.
Small effort. Big payoff.
Your photos will feel less like snapshots and more like memories.
One Last Thought
You don’t need a new camera to take better holiday photos.
You need awareness, intention, and a willingness to slow down just a little.
This season, don’t just document what happened—capture how it felt.
And if you’re ready to go deeper, to truly understand light, composition, and storytelling, that’s exactly what we love teaching at Learn Photography Canada.
Because moments like these?
They don’t come around again—but great photos let you return to them anytime.
Still looking for that perfect holiday gift for someone special? Consider the gift of a photography workshop with Learn Photography Canada. Offering everything from Beginner to Full Certification, Learn Photography Canada workshops are in-person, small group sessions with a coach by your side showing, letting you try and answering questions as you go along. We call it the #BestStart to photography. Visit Photography Courses – Learn Photography Canada for all the workshops offered and $297 Gift Certificate – Learn Photography Canada to purchase a gift certificate for one workshop for that someone special.
From myself and the entire coaching team at Learn Photography Canada (Leonardo, Lorraine, Donna, Darrell, Keo, Jorge, Enrico, Peter, Ariel, Kathrin & Jessica) we wish you a very Merry Christmas and every success in 2026! – David
