Tricks to get great Holiday photos of Families!

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Ed Mercer

Nov 17, 2025

Monday, November 17 , 2025

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Photographing Christmas Lights!

How To Take Photos with Christmas Lights

Hack: When shooting indoor holiday scenes with mixed light (tree lights + window daylight), set your white balance to Tungsten/Incandescent to counteract overly warm yellows — then fine-tune in post if needed.
Tip: Raise your ISO a little rather than pushing shutter speed too low, so you keep motion sharp.

⚡ Quick Tips of the Week

Move your subject away from the background lights — the farther they are, the more blur (bokeh) you’ll get around the lights.
For outdoor winter landscapes (snow + lakes), increase exposure by +½ EV to prevent snow from looking grey.
Offer a holiday mini-session special: book in November, shoot in December — market it as “warm family stories, even in chilly Maine”.
For drone winter work: pack extra batteries (cold drains them fast!), keep your gear warm in a case between flights, and inspect for ice before take-off.

Trivia Question❓

Question: What aperture (f/-value) is commonly used to create “starburst” effects from holiday string lights when shooting outdoors at night?

Answer at the bottom of the newsletter

From Your Editor (Your Photography Buddy)

Hello Friends,
As Sue and I are scouting a few lakes-region scenes here in Naples, Maine, the light is already leaning toward night-and-glow hours. The season’s shift from Thanksgiving warmth into full holiday sparkle has me excited. Whether you’re capturing candid family moments, frosty lake reflections, or drone sweeps over long-lake ice, this is the time to lean into storytelling rather than just “snapshots.”
In this edition I’ve pulled together seven fresh article ideas you can adapt or publish in your channels, plus seven video tutorials to share with your community — building momentum now means you’ll be ready to deliver during the busiest shoot season of the year.
Let’s make it fun, timeless, and full of emotion.
— Ed & Sue

Tips for Capturing Portraits Using Holiday Lights | Take & Make Great Photography with Gavin Hoey

How You Can Use Holiday Lights in Your Videos | Cinematography Tips

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3 High-Level Photoshop Tricks for Magical Composites

Q&A Questions

Q: How do I keep my photos from looking flat in fog or mist?
A: Great question! Fog naturally lowers contrast, so here’s what helps:

Find a strong subject: A tree, person, or dock gives the viewer an anchor.
Shoot toward the light: It adds glow and separation between tones.
Edit lightly: Add just a touch of clarity and dehaze (+5 – 10). Too much ruins the softness.
Consider black & white: It emphasizes form when color disappears.

Shooting for Your Holiday Card: Posing, Composition & Emotion

Holiday card sessions are the perfect way for a new photographer to shine! Pick a spot that feels festive—twinkly lights, snowy trees, or even a cozy porch—then use soft window light or golden hour to make everyone look amazing. Keep families moving, laughing, and interacting so you capture those real smiles that people love. A little warmth in editing adds that “holiday magic” glow. Want clients? Show off 3–5 of your favorite holiday-style photos on Facebook or in local groups and say, “I’m opening just a few Holiday Mini Spots—fast, fun, and perfect for last-minute cards!” Give them a simple deal and a limited number of sessions… people jump at it. You should book out quickly with this!

💡 Answer to Trivia Question:

Answer: f/16 (or higher) is often used to create starburst effects from point-light sources like string lights. (Smaller aperture → more pronounced rays.)

🍂 Let's Wrap-Up!

❤️ Closing Note

Thank you for being part of our community — editing, learning, shooting, and telling stories that matter. Whether you’re out at dawn by the lake or cozy indoors with a tree glow, your camera is your storytelling partner.
Go make something memorable this week.
Warmly —
Ed & Sue Mercer
Photography How To | beautifulstates.com

Monday, November 17, 2025