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Smyer Image | Brian Smyer
Even though everyone has a phone, most people walk away from the season without the photos they truly wish they had.
Even though everyone has a phone, most people walk away from the season without the photos they truly wish they had.
Here is the good news. You do not need a professional camera or technical skill to capture meaningful holiday photos. You only need intention, emotion, and a few simple techniques that help you slow down and notice the moments that matter most.
Here is the good news. You do not need a professional camera or technical skill to capture meaningful holiday photos. You only need intention, emotion, and a few simple techniques that help you slow down and notice the moments that matter most.
These are the same principles I use during professional sessions, and you can apply them instantly with your phone.
These are the same principles I use during professional sessions, and you can apply them instantly with your phone.
Photograph the Emotion, Not the Pose
Photograph the Emotion, Not the Pose
Holiday photos are rarely about perfect smiles. They are about connection. People remember how they felt, not how they posed.
Holiday photos are rarely about perfect smiles. They are about connection. People remember how they felt, not how they posed.
Try this
Try this
• Capture people laughing together
• Capture people laughing together
• Photograph someone helping a child with a toy
• Photograph someone helping a child with a toy
• Look for the moment before the moment
• Look for the moment before the moment
• Catch the hug, not the smile after the hug
• Catch the hug, not the smile after the hug
Real emotion is always more powerful than a perfect pose.
Real emotion is always more powerful than a perfect pose.
Move Toward Natural Light
Move Toward Natural Light
Your home likely has pockets of beautiful light and pockets of rough light. You do not need to rearrange your house. You only need to move a few feet.
Your home likely has pockets of beautiful light and pockets of rough light. You do not need to rearrange your house. You only need to move a few feet.
Tips
Tips
• Turn people toward a window
• Turn people toward a window
• Avoid overhead lighting when possible
• Avoid overhead lighting when possible
• Use lamps for warm, soft pockets of light
• Use lamps for warm, soft pockets of light
• Step closer instead of zooming
• Step closer instead of zooming
Natural light makes skin tone look better and gives your photos depth.
Natural light makes skin tone look better and gives your photos depth.
Capture Tiny Details That Tell the Story
Capture Tiny Details That Tell the Story
Some of the most meaningful holiday images are the ones people never think to photograph. These shots become the emotional glue in a story.
Some of the most meaningful holiday images are the ones people never think to photograph. These shots become the emotional glue in a story.
Try photographing
Try photographing
• Hands mixing cookie dough
• Hands mixing cookie dough
• Kids’ hands holding ornaments
• Kids’ hands holding ornaments
• The texture of wrapping paper
• The texture of wrapping paper
• A grandmother’s handwriting on a recipe
• A grandmother’s handwriting on a recipe
• Hot chocolate mugs on the counter
• Hot chocolate mugs on the counter
• The aftermath of gift opening
• The aftermath of gift opening
These little details trigger memory in ways full portraits cannot. Pro Tip: Get closer, zoom in.
These little details trigger memory in ways full portraits cannot. Pro Tip: Get closer, zoom in.
Step Back and Photograph the Room
Step Back and Photograph the Room
Every family has a holiday space that becomes part of the story. Years from now you will want to remember what that room looked like.
Every family has a holiday space that becomes part of the story. Years from now you will want to remember what that room looked like.
Use the wide lens on your phone and capture
Use the wide lens on your phone and capture
• The living room before everyone wakes up
• The living room before everyone wakes up
• The dinner table as it is getting set
• The dinner table as it is getting set
• The tree with gifts underneath
• The tree with gifts underneath
• People moving around naturally
• People moving around naturally
These images age beautifully because they show context, not just faces.
These images age beautifully because they show context, not just faces.
Get Eye Level with Children
Get Eye Level with Children
One of the most powerful changes you can make is simply lowering your camera. When you get eye level with a child, you enter their world. The photo becomes more intimate, more honest, and more human.
One of the most powerful changes you can make is simply lowering your camera. When you get eye level with a child, you enter their world. The photo becomes more intimate, more honest, and more human.
Try kneeling or sitting on the floor. Let them be in their space. Photograph their curiosity, their excitement, or even their total meltdown. It all matters, and it all tells the real story of the season.
Try kneeling or sitting on the floor. Let them be in their space. Photograph their curiosity, their excitement, or even their total meltdown. It all matters, and it all tells the real story of the season.
Capture Candid Family Interactions
Capture Candid Family Interactions
Holidays are rich with in between moments that say everything.
Holidays are rich with in between moments that say everything.
Look for
Look for
• Grandparents talking with grandkids
• Grandparents talking with grandkids
• Parents laughing together
• Parents laughing together
• Siblings teasing each other
• Siblings teasing each other
• People lost in conversation
• People lost in conversation
• Someone quietly observing the room
• Someone quietly observing the room
Candid interactions are often the most emotional photos of the entire holiday.
Candid interactions are often the most emotional photos of the entire holiday.
Do Not Worry About the Mess
Do Not Worry About the Mess
Homes get messy during the holidays. Wrapping paper, dishes, toys, bags, and blankets end up in every corner. Do not remove the story to make the photo pretty.
Homes get messy during the holidays. Wrapping paper, dishes, toys, bags, and blankets end up in every corner. Do not remove the story to make the photo pretty.
A clean photo is nice, but a true photo is meaningful. The clutter becomes part of the memory. It shows life, movement, and what your holiday really looked like.
A clean photo is nice, but a true photo is meaningful. The clutter becomes part of the memory. It shows life, movement, and what your holiday really looked like.
Be Present First, Photographer Second
Be Present First, Photographer Second
The best holiday photos come from people who are actually in the moment. If you spend the whole time chasing photos, you miss the meaning.
The best holiday photos come from people who are actually in the moment. If you spend the whole time chasing photos, you miss the meaning.
Take a few quick images using the tips above. Then put the phone down. Be part of the story. The photos you take will reflect that energy.
Take a few quick images using the tips above. Then put the phone down. Be part of the story. The photos you take will reflect that energy.
If this post helps you see the holidays differently and inspires you to capture more meaningful moments, you might appreciate a guided photography experience for someone you love. I offer holiday gift certificates that can be personalized around a family’s lifestyle, personality, and hobbies. It is a thoughtful way to help someone preserve their story with intention and care.
If this post helps you see the holidays differently and inspires you to capture more meaningful moments, you might appreciate a guided photography experience for someone you love. I offer holiday gift certificates that can be personalized around a family’s lifestyle, personality, and hobbies. It is a thoughtful way to help someone preserve their story with intention and care.
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Meta Title: How to Take Meaningful Holiday Photos with Your Phone
Meta Description: Learn simple techniques to capture meaningful holiday photos with your phone using light, storytelling, and real emotion. Expert tips from Utah photographer Brian Smyer of Smyer Image.
Keywords: "holiday photo tips", "phone photography holiday", "capture family holiday photos", "Utah photography gift certificate", "Smyer Image", "Brian Smyer photography"
Author: Brian Smyer
Copyright: © 2025 Smyer Image
Copyright: © 2025 Smyer Image
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