Christmas Photo Backgrounds?

Here is an answer I wrote yesterday, just substitiute "son/he" for "daughter/she", and the suggestions might be interesting for you, too.

I think natural (indoors or outside) is better for a memorable shot than hanging a backdrop and using props. Plan to do the shoot after you have decorated,your home, or go to a pretty location in your town or neighborhood. Our small town has a lovely fountain area that is lit and decorated for the holiday, and I do my grandchildren there every year. I also get them with our Christmas tree and the gingerbread house we build every year. Natural light will look better than straight flash unless you have some skill in using accessory lighting. If you have a room with a lot of daylight you should be able to do some ambient light shots. If the room is not very bright you may need some extra light. Bounce your flash if you can, or tape a small piece of tissue or bubble wrap over it to calm the light and make it look more natural. If you can adjust the exposure on your camera, you can use a slower shutter speed to capture the ambient light, then a small pop of flash for fill light on your daughter.

I have no idea where you live. Tropical locals are difficult to look very Christmasy. Perhaps you will have some snow? If not, winter trees are lovely, either evergreens or bare branches look great on a Christmas card. Shrubs with berries, or holly are always festive. You might hang some ribbon or lights. Wait for late afternoon, or an overcast day to get soft light and good color. If overcast, avoid a composition with lots of sky. Your daughter is the subject, so fill the frame with her. If she is very young, plan the shoot for a time when she is rested, fed and happy. Use a toy, candy cane, stuffed animal, ornament, something for her to handle and play with, then shoot shoot shoot. Get on her level, don't shoot down at her. Check your exposure at the beginning and make any adjustments needed either manually or using the exposure compensation. If you can manually adjust your camera, use a larger aperture to throw the background out of focus."

When it comes to daily remembering, I really prefer settings that reflect the real life of the person, child or adult, rather than studio portraits. So I am a big fan of environmental portraiture. If you are using your home, make sure to pick up any background clutter. Nothing will ruin a nice shot like a basket of laundry in the background, or a dust bunny on the baseboard. Get on your son's level, do not shoot down on him.

Have fun, informal portraiture is fun and not that hard to do. If you are not so happy with your first attempt, you can always have a go at it on a different day. Good luck, and let us know how it goes.

A nice camera doesn't mean really nice photos. But try putting him in front of the christmas tree?