Monday, November 24 , 2025

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🌟 COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

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Hello friends — Ed here, checking in from our peaceful corner of the Lakes Region. The holidays are in the air, the light is softer, the evenings are cozier, and Maine is showing off with those early hints of winter magic. This time of year is full of small moments worth capturing… gratitude around the table, twinkling lights on Main Street, snowy pines, and quiet reflections on the year that’s flown by.

Today’s newsletter brings you:
✨ 7 fun photography ideas for the holiday season
✨ 7 fresh YouTube video tutorials
✨ A community spotlight
✨ A small challenge to inspire your next photo outing

Let’s dive in…

📷 7 Holiday Photography Ideas

1. Golden-Hour Family Moments by the Lake

This is one of my favorite times of year for natural portraits. When the sun is low, the whole lake glows a warm gold — perfect for candid family moments. Have your subject turned slightly toward the light, and let them move naturally. Capture connections: hands, laughter, hugs, little glances.

Try this: Shoot at f/2.8 to soften the background and let the warm tones wrap around your subject.

2. Drone-View Holiday Card Ideas

If you love drone photography, this is YOUR season. A snowy cabin, frosted trees, a winding road, or a frozen cove on Long Lake makes a stunning holiday card. Keep your drone around 40–60 feet for the perfect storytelling angle.

Try this: Fly just before sunset when the shadows stretch long and dramatic.

3. Gratitude in Action — Thanksgiving Candids

The best images this week will be unposed. Kids helping in the kitchen, grandparents telling stories, someone sneaking a taste of pie. Capture activity, interaction, and emotion. These photos become family treasures.

Try this: Use burst mode to grab quick moments without interrupting the flow.

4. Holiday Lights Portrait Magic

Whether it’s Christmas lights, Hanukkah candles, or cozy lanterns — this time of year is a playground of glow. Use the lights as your main source and add a touch of window light or a soft lamp for balance. It creates that dreamy editorial mood everyone loves.

Try this: Put lights in the foreground for fun, sparkly bokeh effects.

5. Snow-Touched Evergreens for Classic Seasonal Shots

Even the lightest dusting of snow turns our forests into a postcard. Look for simple compositions: one tall tree, a quiet road disappearing into the woods, or branches lightly frosted.

Try this: Underexpose by –0.3 to –0.7 to keep the snow crisp and avoid blown highlights.

6. Hanukkah & Multi-Faith Storytelling

Many celebrations this month revolve around light, reflection, and togetherness. Capture menorahs, candles, and gatherings with warmth and respect. Focus on hands lighting candles, faces illuminated, and small traditions passed down.

Try this: Let the warm light create natural contrast. No need for flash.

7. New Year Reflections — A Fresh Start Through Your Lens

Frozen lake reflections, frosty mornings, long-exposure light trails… New Year’s photos don’t need fireworks to feel magical. Think “quiet reflection meets hopeful look forward.”

Try this: A tripod + 1–3 second shutter for beautiful light streaks at night.

🎬 VIDEO CORNER: 7 Helpful Tutorials

Here are seven video ideas you can feature this week. They’re recent, easy to follow, and great for beginners/intermediates.

Question: What does “ISO” control in photography?

From Your Editor (Your Photography Buddy)

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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.

Answer: The camera’s sensitivity to light.
Higher ISO helps in low light, but can introduce grain or “noise.”

🍂 Let's Wrap-Up!

❤️ Closing Note

The holidays give us a chance to pause, reflect, and appreciate the things that matter most — family, friends, quiet mornings, warm lights, and the gift of being able to capture life through our lenses. No matter what this season looks like for you, I hope it brings peace, gratitude, and moments worth remembering.

From our home to yours…
Thank you, and happy Thanksgiving.
May we all continue to see the good around us — and photograph it.

Monday, November 24, 2025