With Christmas just a few days away and New Year around the corner, we’re all gearing up for the festive season. For some families, it will be the only time in the year that everyone will get together, which puts a lot of pressure on getting that perfect family photo.
While you may think that this can only be achieved with a digital camera, your smartphone camera is likely to be more than capable of doing the job. Here, we share our top tips on taking the perfect family shot using your smartphone camera.
Background
Make sure you pick a background that sets the mood. In front of the tree or around the table can work, or, if there are a lot of you to fit in, you may want more space outside.
Think about how you want the shot to look. You could create an action shot ‘mid festivities’, or more formal photo with the family arranged sitting and standing. If you have a patient crowd, take your time to experiment.
Framing and position
You will want to set up your smartphone so that the whole family is framed in the shot and the background is not too distracting. Position the camera to shoot straight on for more traditional shots, or above for a more dynamic shot. If you position the group front and back to get everyone in, it is best to set the focus to be central, which will give a clear image overall.
Lighting
Lighting will be key to getting a great family shot. You could take the picture outside at around midday when you will have most natural light, or, if indoors, you could bring in a few extra lamps to light the space. Just make sure the light casts evenly from the sides and is positioned behind the camera.
Smartphone accessories
Obviously getting everyone in the shot is the aim and, thankfully, you can set a timer on today’s smartphone cameras as you would with a DSLR. You can also purchase a Bluetooth remote to automatically take the photo at the right moment. Ideal for trying to capture little ones or pets!
If you can, we would recommend investing in a mini smartphone tripod so you can set up the shot beforehand. A tripod will give a more professional finish and allow you to try out different angles too.
You can also buy clip on lenses for your smartphone camera, which can be great fun to play around with. Try out a wide angle or fisheye lens for some more comical Christmas shots!
Thank you to everyone who has taken part in our workshops and events this year, it has been an absolute pleasure. We hope you have a wonderful Christmas, and see you in 2023!