Capturing the looks of unbridled joy, all those family hugs and holiday joy should be easy, but we all have our hands full this time of year! We asked one of our favorite photographers, Wayne Albright, to share his go-to tips for snapping better looking photos so your memories will last forever.
Wayne's pro tips for the best smartphone Christmas morning photos.
1. Be sure to clean your camera's lens. This is most often forgotten. You handle your phone hundreds of times a day, so you are bound to have smudges on the lens.
2. Use lots of natural light. Open the curtains and shutters to let in as much light as possible. In most cases it's best to avoid using the flash.
3. Avoid clutter in the scene. For portraits it is best to select a spot that is free from anything distracting that takes the attention away from your subjects.
4. Avoid distortion, keeping the camera at eye level of your subject is best. Get down low for the little ones, and the pets. Pointing the camera up or down makes things look out of proportion
5. Candid photos make great memories. Be a fly on the wall. Some of the best shots happen spontaneously.
6. Don't forget yourself! Use the self timer feature and get into those family shots.
7. Most importantly, have fun, live in the moment and enjoy your family time.
Roswell City Lifestyle: What will you be doing over the holidays?
Julie & Wayne: We will be putting down the phone and spending quality time with family and friends. It will begin with decorating our home for the holidays, (Julie) knocks her self out transforming our space with the spirit of Christmas. We will attend community tree lightings, gather with friends at our favorite local spots to share bites, spirits, and good conversations. Christmas Eve will be spent with the entire family for a festive dinner together and a few early Christmas gifts to be opened by our grand kids... of course we will have the camera out to grab those excited faces of joy to add to our collection of memories. We will attend a celebratory midnight church service and spend a quiet Christmas morning together for a few hours before gathering with our entire family again for a Christmas feast.
RCL: What are you most thankful for this year?
J&W: The Lord has really blessed us. We have so much to be thankful for, including our love for each other and that we get to spend this time of our life together everyday, living, loving and working together. Our family is happy and healthy and achieving their goals. Our business is doing well, and we get to meet so many interesting people from all walks of life. It is not work when you love what you do. My mother was placed in assisted living out of state this year. She is battling Alzheimer's disease, but she is comfortable, happy and living in her moment. That is all we can hope for. We have great phone conversations. She still remembers who we are and laughs a lot. We are simply grateful for each day.
Merry Christmas! from Wayne & Julie at Albright Photography, and many blessings to you and yours this holiday season.