Before we packed away the holiday decorations, we decided to take a few better-late-than-never seasonal photos — partly because this was probably the last chance to capture a picture like this in front of the tree for a while. Those final evenings with the twinkling lights and the house full of ornaments feel worth preserving, so we set up the camera and took our time to get a few frames that felt special.
It’s a little wild to think this was our last Christmas with just one little human in the house (well, two if you count Burger — and closer to thirty if you include all of Sherry’s ceramic critters). Even more surprising: Clara managed to remain still long enough for a slow exposure! If you want to recreate a photo like this, here are a few practical tips that worked for us: set your camera on a sturdy tripod, dim the room lights so the tree’s lights appear warm and luminous, use a longer exposure so the lights blur softly, and ask your subject to sit as motionless as possible. Additional camera tips that help: use a low ISO to reduce noise, choose a modest aperture for enough depth of field, and trigger the shutter with a remote or a timer to avoid shake. The result is a moody, glowing image that really captures the season’s atmosphere.
What did you wrap and unwrap this year? Do you and your partner exchange big, surprising gifts, or do you trade small, thoughtful items you’ve had your eye on? We tend to keep things low-key — a few meaningful presents and lots of cozy traditions — but we love hearing about dramatic reveals and tiny delights alike. Whether it’s the memory of an unexpected gift, a hand-made card, or even a bow perched on the hood of a car in a driveway, those moments stick with you. On the practical side, if you’re trying to capture gift-giving moments, consider photographing reactions candidly with a fast shutter speed or recording a short video; the emotion in unguarded moments often makes the best keepsakes.
Update: You can check out all of our favorite holiday decor finds here – many of which are under $15!