What's trending this Thursday? Well, if you're in my house...some not-so-great Christmas photos. Every year, it seems my photos look the same, and I'm in the market for something unique this Christmas. So, I've turned to the experts. Some real photographers. And they're here to help.
They are (L-R) Jaime Warren and Lyndsey Lewis.
I asked each photographer how we can take better pictures this Christmas...photos that inspire us to scrapbook and they've given some great information to put into practice this year. Let's see what they had to say...
Question: My photos at Christmas look the same every single year. This year, what are some things I can do to get different/unique shots?
"Instead of taking pictures straight at your subject where everything in the room is in focus, change up the angles you shoot from. So, put the camera on the table and take the picture. You will get everything on the same plane with lots of depth and a different vantage point.
Also, take a step back and snap a second picture, but this time, rotate the camera a bit to the left or right. The photo is the same, but it changes the view."
"Another little trick is not to always focus on the person. For example, focus on the hand hanging the ornament or on the ornament itself. Again, this creates a different view point and makes for a really cool shot.
"If you've never used a filter on your lens there are some fun ones that create starbursts (great for the lights on the tree!) Also, you can try playing with macro shots of your decorations - especially those that are family traditions/favorites. When it comes time to open the gifts, get down on the floor with your children/family and get in on the action. Play with your camera's timer and make sure to get photos of the entire family opening up one gift, all at the same time (including you!!)
Here's Jaime's shot using a fun filter:
Details: 85mm 1.8 & External at 1/200, 1.8 ISO 1600
And her Macro shot:
Details: taken at 1/125, 2.2, ISO 1600 with my External & 28mm 1.8 lens
Such fun ideas to help give us unique photos which will, in turn, inspire us to scrapbook our holiday memories rather than passing them over because they look the same as last year.
Speaking of which, Angella has an incredibly unique take on Christmas, at least speaking as someone whose yard is covered with snow. Being Australian, her Christmas photos look nothing like mine.
Watermelon on Christmas? Definitely not in Colorado! I love Angella's vertical line of photos and the way she decked out her page with fruit motifs.
I also love how she took non-traditional Christmas photos and captured what Christmas means to her, and she did it all while mixing several of our favorite Webster's Pages lines: Botanical Christmas, Western Romance and Spring Market. Just click on the collection names to purchase some of your very own!
Stay tuned for more fun photography tips in the upcoming days...and be sure to check back tomorrow for some more fabulous Freebies!












Thanks for the great tips! Now let's just hope I remember to take the camera AND take pics, since I never took the camera out of the case on Thanksgiving!
Fab inspiration, Angella! Love non-traditional color combos, twists and unique layouts...and this has all 3! :-D Love the yellow backdrop with splashes of red and green. Fruit on a Christmas layout that isn't sugar plums and the awesome, unexpected giant wedge of watermelon being consumed by a little cutie wearing a Santa hat. :-) Wonderfully done!
Posted by: Doris Widder | December 15, 2011 at 02:35 AM
Great ornaments and such a beautiful page! I love that collection!!!
Posted by: patti hamil | December 15, 2011 at 10:02 AM
Cool tips thanks and Angella made a cool page love the layers.
byebye,Lean
Posted by: lean de ruiter | December 15, 2011 at 10:47 AM
Awesome tips! Lovely LO..:)
Posted by: Nicolle Kramer | December 15, 2011 at 12:14 PM
YAY!!! Now thats a Christmas layout (atleast for us Aussies)
Posted by: Karen keiper | December 15, 2011 at 04:19 PM
loving these tips! Keep them coming! and I love Angella's layout...as always!
Posted by: staceymichu | December 15, 2011 at 09:10 PM