Happy Christmas Eve! We hope your Christmas shopping is done, your gifts are wrapped, and all your preparations for the big day are well underway. With so much to do, it’s easy to forget to prepare your camera for the holiday and to remember the shots you want to take. The CK team wanted to lend a hand with that preparation, so I’ve made a list to help the photography part of your day run smoothly.
First, prepare your camera:
1. Check your memory cards. Make sure you’ve uploaded the last batch of photos to your computer and that your memory cards are formatted and ready to use.
2. Charge your camera’s battery.
3. Keep your connection cables accessible in case you need to upload full cards or recharge your battery later in the day.
Next, take a few shots before the celebration. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- The decorated tree lit up
- Close-ups of favorite, new or signature ornaments on the tree
- Your favorite decorations around the house
- The wrapped presents tucked under and around the tree
- Your family or just your children sitting in front of the tree
- The decor on the outside of your home
Photograph the details of your Christmas tree, as Greta Hammond did. "Celebrate the Season" by Greta Hammond, as seen in the December 2009 issue of Creating Keepsakes
During the celebration, keep the following types of photos in mind:
1. The People. Take note of everyone attending your Christmas festivities. Be sure everyone (including you!) is in at least two to three photos.
Photograph everyone at your event, as Paula Gilarde did. "December 24, 2007" by Paula Gilarde, as seen in the December 2008 issue of Creating Keepsakes
2. The Activities. Consider the photo ops as family members participate in the following :
- Handing out gifts
- Opening presents (if Santa’s given you the inside scoop on a special gift, be sure to have your camera ready when it’s opened)
Have your camera ready to capture facial expressions when gifts are opened, as Barb Wong did. "Favourite" by Barb Wong, as seen in the December 2008 issue of Creating Keepsakes
- Interacting with other family members
- Preparing the food—and all the hustle and bustle in the kitchen
- Celebrating specific family traditions, such as reading the Bible or donning new Christmas pajamas you received on Christmas Eve
- Playing with new toys
Photograph children enjoying their new toys, as Emily Falconbridge did. "Christmas" by Emily Falconbridge, as seen in the December 2008 issue of Creating Keepsakes
3. The Food. Be sure to capture:
- The set table
- Special dishes you make only at this time of year
- Family members enjoying the food
That’s it! You’re ready to take your Christmas photos. Enjoy your time with family and friends, and have a very Merry Christmas!
—Lori Fairbanks, product editor
Wreath Page Template courtesy of Pam Callaghan
P.S. Once you’ve taken all your photos, you’ll want a creative way to arrange them on a layout. Use this page template from Pam Callaghan as a fabulous option. For more templates and for ideas on using templates, be sure to check out Pam’s blog: Ideas for Scrapbookers. To download the wreath template, click here, then right-click your mouse, and then save the image to your desktop to open in your software of choice. Click here for Pam’s helpful tutorial on using the template in Photoshop Elements. Thanks, Pam!