We love Christmas photography sessions! We are also a big fan of little Aya. (We got to take photos of her mom and dad as they celebrated their marriage at the Ocean Club last summer.) We were super excited when they asked us to do a Christmas themed shoot early in November. It got us thinking that there are a few things to remember when you want to do Christmas/holiday photography.
Plan ahead. No really, don’t wait.
I know every year we are surprised when Christmas comes, but seriously, don’t wait to schedule your children’s Christmas photography session until mid-December. (Ok it is mid-December now, but you know for next year!) December is of course the busiest month for shops, businesses, elves and delivery folk trying to get everything done for the holiday crunch. Ordering photos is no different. It takes time to make prints and if you want holiday cards to send out I recommend shooting in October-November, so everything can be ready to wrap, and mail and you can relax and eat all the candy and drink all the gløgg.
Nature or Urban, inside or outside?
Ask yourself what feeling are you and your family trying to convey this year? Are you expats that have just landed in Copenhagen? Maybe a shoot in lovely Nyhavn, or on one of the picturesque streets in town is something that everyone back home would love. If you have been here for a year or 20 maybe you would love a nature type shoot. The possibilities are many, but why stop there? Maybe you want to get a photo around the Christmas tree with all the lights. (But we are shooting in November, and we don’t have a tree yet. Ok lets just use the lights!)
Which brings us to props!
For that special holiday look you can use props and lots of them. Well maybe not lots of props but small white lights look amazing in the background. Don’t be afraid of the lights. More is always better. Make sure you have at least 5 strings of bright white lights. Santa hats, velvet or furry coats on the kids, that special teddy that Santa brought last year… all of it tells the story of your family’s holidays. You have them, lets use them!
Well we hope that helps the creative ball rolling. Here is what we came up with from Aya. She is in a pink kimono that her uncle bought her. It isn’t traditionally Christmas since it is pink, but the addition of the white fur behind her is says Scandinavian winter holiday to me. Don’t be afraid to think outside the holiday box.
Enjoy.
