Monday, January 17, 2011

Christmas Photography Ideas

by Lois Breneman, Copyright 2006

Have fun trying some unique and creative Christmas poses on your own this year, rather than using a professional photographer. These special photos could be used to create your Christmas card, include with a card, frame to hang as a decoration each Christmas, give to grandparents, or include in a Christmas scrapbook for lots of warm memories. Here are a few creative ideas to consider trying.

Last year we received a priceless Christmas card photo from our nephew and his wife of their three young daughters. The youngest one in the center was crying her little heart out, with her eyes shut and one hand in her mouth, while one sister tried to console her and the other sister was ignoring the crying and smiling like a little princess. The caption read, "Wishing you a Christmas as peaceful as ours!" Later we learned how they dressed up all three daughters in their Christmas dresses three nights in a row, and this was the scene each night. At the end of the third photo shoot, their worn out mother said, "That's it! This is the picture we are sending!" We loved it!! It's been on our refrigerator all year and will be until we have a replacement!

Another nephew and his wife took a picture of their very young son on the floor among a string of colorful lights all lit up. So cute!

Wrap each child with a string of Christmas lights and tinsel on their heads for a fun picture!

Take a picture of your children dressed as Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus. If you have enough children to dress as the three wisemen, or shepherds, that would be a very special Christmas photo! We have pictures like this of our two older children, with a bread dough bread basket as the manger in front of them, holding a doll.

If you have only 2-3 children, dress them in outdoor Christmas or winter attire. Have one child pull one or two siblings on a sled with fake Christmas gifts on the back of the sled. Or use a wagon instead. Another idea would be to pull two or three little ones in a wagon, each holding a gift. If you have four children, have the oldest child pull the other three in a wagon.

Take pictures of your children in their pajamas, lying on their tummies, each with his head propped up on his hands in front of the fireplace.

How about a photo of your children decorating cookies or a birthday cake for Jesus!

If children are old enough try taking a picture of them in a pyramid, wearing their pajamas.

Dress the kids up in Christmas outfits or simply Christmas colors and have them pose in front of the Christmas display at your local mall.

Line up all the kids or the entire family, lying on the floor on their tummies, with face propped in their hands and looking up. Use a tripod and timer if you don't have a photographer. I found a picture like this among my "antique" photos of all the cousins from years ago, lying in the grass.

Take a picture of the children decorating the Christmas tree or adding the finishing touches to a snowman you helped them build (adding coal for the eyes, a carrot for the nose, a smile, branches for the arms, and a scarf and hat). 

Use a tripod and the timer on your camera to snap a family photo, unless you have another person to take pictures of everyone. Any of these ideas above would be great with all of the family included.

Even if you don't use these pictures as a Christmas card or to include with a card, they would be very special photos to frame and include with your Christmas decorations each year!

If you have other unique ways of taking family pictures at Christmas, please send them to me.  (Check contact information),

No comments: