20+ Websites for Incredible Free Stock Photos

By  Jessica Stewart

#photographyhobbyist  #photographybestoftheday #photographyforever

Photo: Gratisography

Whether you’re a blogger looking for the perfect photo to accompany your article or a designer in need of an image for a new T-shirt, there are innumerable reasons that free images come in handy. But, as you’re searching for stock photography, it’s important to know the right places to do so in order to find what you’re looking for and to use the images properly.

Luckily, there are many free stock photography websites to meet the needs of any project. Some sites specialize in particular genres, like food or travel photography, while others cast a wider net. To make things easier for you, we’ve broken down the top 22 websites for free image downloads, as well as a quick reminder on how image licensing works. Before you use any free stock photo in your next creative project, make sure you clearly read the terms of usage and credit the photographer (if necessary).

Photo: Pietro Jeng via Unsplash

A Quick Guide to Using Free Stock Photography

It’s always important to remember that just because something is online, it doesn’t always mean it can be used without copyright. Check the terms of usage carefully for each resource to determine how it can be used. Some resources allow for commercial use, while others are under copyright and available for personal use only. Here’s a quick list of the types of usage you may find:
Public Domain– A public domain work (Creative Commons Zero) is freely available and has no copyright restrictions on usage, including commercially. Read more about public domain in different countries.
Creative Commons – In 2001 this American non-profit started issuing free licenses to help people share their work in a clear manner. See some of the different licenses you’ll come upon, some of which require attribution to the original source or exclude the work from use in commercial products.

Tips for Commercial Usage

If you are using images from a free stock site for commercial purposes, you’ll want to keep in mind a few things to ensure you won’t run into any trouble later. Model releases and property releases are just some of the paperwork you’ll want to make sure is covered by any site you download from. You’ll also want to ensure that photographs don’t include anything that is under copyright—like the Eiffel Tower at night—or trademarked.  Friendlystock has written a helpful post on how to make sure you protect yourself from any potential lawsuits over unauthorized commercial usage.

Photo: Shohit Nigam via Foodiesfeed

Now that you know how to use stock photos, here’s our list of the 22 best websites for free image downloads.

Burst – Shopify’s stock photography site has thousands of images that can be used in commercial projects without attribution.
Canva – This powerful graphic design tool also has a great selection of free stock images divided into easily recognizable categories.
Foodies Feed – The name says it all. If you need food photos, this site’s for you.
Free Nature Stock – Again, the name says it all. Updated daily, if you are looking for free nature stock photography, this is the place to go. All the images are taken by photographer Adrian Pelletier, who created the site, and are licensed under Creative Commons Zero.
Gratisography – In addition to offering a wide selection, Gratisography is filled with whimsical, humorous images.

Photo: Kaboompics

ISO Republic – This site lets you sort by category and is known for the wide array of photographers who submit their work.
Kaboompics – Updated daily, the site also allows you to search by color and includes thematic photoshoots, all free to use in any way you’d like.
Life of Pix – New photos are added weekly to this beautifully curated site, with all images in the public domain. They also have a sister site—Life of Vids—for stock video clips.
Magdeleine – A new high-resolution photograph is added daily and it’s possible to search images by color.

Photo: Mårten Sjöbeck via New Old Stock

MMT– Highly curated, artistic photographs that are available for commercial usage.
Morgue File – Since 1996, the site has been a place for professionals and creatives to exchange images. All photos in the archive can be downloaded and used for any purpose, even in commercial projects.
New Old Stock – Vintage photos from public domain archives around the world.
Pexels– This site gives the ability to search by popular photos and categories and adds 5 new images to the site every day.

Photo: David Meier via Picography

Picography – Great source for lifestyle and travel photography, with all images registered under the CC0 license.
Pixabay – More than 1 million photos, vectors, and illustrations available. You’ll have to wade through to find the highest quality, but there are some good finds if you’re willing to look.
Public Domain Archive – Free public domain images, including photographs from vintage archives.
Realistic Shots – Clean, straightforward stock photography available for commercial use, divided into categories like nature, technology, architecture, nature, and people.

Photo: Startup Stock Photo

Snapwire Snaps – Every week, 7 new photos are added to the site, each clearly marked with the image’s Creative Commons license, as well as the link to the photographer so you can check out their other work. Most of the photos are available for commercial usage.
Startup Stocks – Business and office-related photography. Unfortunately, the site isn’t searchable, so you’ll need to scroll through the feed to pull out what you need.
StockSnap– This huge search engine of stock sites adds hundreds of high-resolution images every week.

Photo: Superfamous

Superfamous – The selection isn’t vast, but the site’s abstract nature images make up for it.
Travel Coffee Book – Though not updated often, this collection of free CC0 photos is perfect if you are looking for city and travel photography, with a particular focus on locations in Asia.
Unsplash – A huge range of photographs that are also searchable by collection. If you’re looking for evocative, filter-heavy imagery, this site’s for you.

11 Macro Photography Tips for Beginners

^{Image Credit: Trifonov_Evgeniy via iStock} 

One of the great things about macro photography is that it allows you to bring the tiniest of details to the forefront in an image.
What's more, it challenges you to see your surroundings in a completely different way - to look for those small details that deserve center stage in a macro photograph.
Whether it's leaves or insects, flowers or fungi, there is a world of possibilities for taking breathtaking photos when you have a macro lens on your camera.
If you're ready to dive into the world of macro photography, consider these 11 tips as a great place to get started.

#photographyhobbyist  #photographybestoftheday #photographyforever

Timing is Everything for Macro Photography

^{Image Credit: ryasick via iStock}

The saying that "the early bird gets the worm" definitely applies to macro photography.
By getting an early start and heading out with your camera in the morning, you maximize the likelihood that you'll get the best results.
This is the case for a couple of reasons.
First, the early morning light is soft and has a warm glow that's much more pleasing than mid-day light. Secondly, the chances of there being wind are less early in the morning than later in the day.
Third, early mornings mean a greater likelihood of dew, which adds a beautiful element to a macro shot. Lastly, insects are just waking up in the early morning, and the slower they are, the easier they'll be to photograph!

Consider Renting Different Lenses

^{Image Credit: BrianAJackson via iStock}

Not all macro lenses are alike, so it would behoove you to give a variety of lenses a try.
Some macro lenses have a short focal length like 12mm while others are 100mm or longer.
On top of that, different lenses have different working distances, or the distance between your lens and the subject, and different minimum focusing distance, which is the distance to the subject the lens can be and still get the shot in focus.
Many macro photographers find that longer focal length macro lenses are advantageous because you don't have to be as close to the subject to get an up-close shot.
With that extra room, you can add things like a ring flash to illuminate the subject better. Keeping a little more distance between you and an insect might also make it more likely that the insect isn't bothered by your presence. It's hard to photograph insects if they fly away!
Get a better idea of how a macro lens can positively impact your work in the video above by Kellan Reck.

Learn More:

• Macro Photography Hacks You Need to Try Today

Try the Parallel Camera Trick

^{Image Credit: afreydin via iStock}

When taking macro photos of flat subjects - leaves, for example - try to keep the back of the camera parallel with the subject.

This is called the "parallel camera trick," and it serves the function of giving the camera the fullest use of what little depth of field there is.
By keeping the subject and camera parallel, the likelihood of the entire focal plane being in focus is greatly increased. However, if the camera is skewed from parallel, you might find that parts of the subject that are further away from the camera are out of focus.
Macro lenses have razor-thin margins of depth of field, so you'll always have elements in the shot out of focus.
But by keeping the camera parallel, you can at least ensure that everything that should be in focus, is.

Use Depth of Field Preview

^{Image Credit: DebbiSmirnoff via iStock}

The optical viewfinder on your camera shows the scene at the largest available aperture.
While this is great for actually seeing the image (the larger aperture makes it brighter in the viewfinder), it does nothing in the way of helping you determine the depth of field.
To see what you’ve got in focus and what’s blurry, use your camera’s depth of field preview button. Doing so will tell the camera to show you the scene at the working aperture so you have a better idea of what’s sharp and what’s blurry.
Not sure where the depth of field preview button is or how to use it? Give this tutorial a quick read.

Give Indoor Macro Shoots a Chance

^{Image Credit: cruphoto via iStock}

While there's a wealth of subjects to photograph with a macro lens outdoors, don't discount the value of getting your macro photography sea legs underneath you by staying inside.
Think about it - there's no wind indoors and you can't mold the lighting to whatever you want it to be.
What's more, still subjects like fruit and plants are a heck of a lot easier to photograph than bugs that move around.
Really all you need is a small, clear area like a countertop or a table to set up your subject.
Add a non-descript background (even a sheet will do), set up your camera and tripod, any lighting gear you have, and start firing away!

Learn More:

• Why Everyone Needs a Macro Lens

Make a DIY Background

A macro shot can be made or broken by what’s happening in the background.
Even though the background will be blurry, its colors, textures, and patterns will still be visible, thus necessitating that it is of a high quality.
For indoor shots, create a collection of high-quality backgrounds using fabric, paper, or even prints of neutral and natural scenes you’ve taken before.
Even a bowl of water with food coloring could make a good macro background!
Learn how to make your own DIY macro background in the video above by Bonnie Marquette.

Don’t Discount Large Apertures

^{Image Credit: republica via iStock}

Although it’s common practice to use small apertures to maximize depth of field in macro shots, that doesn’t mean that you can’t use a large aperture to create an image with a different look.
A large aperture will have a razor-thin depth of field, resulting in an image with a very small area of sharp focus with the foreground and background nicely blurred, as shown above.
Or, if you want to go more abstract, try shooting your subject completely out of focus for a bokeh-filled shot that’s full of beautiful abstract blur.

Learn More:

• Macro Photography Tips for Beginners

Avoid Maxing Out Your Aperture

^{Image Credit: dlerick via iStock}

If you opt for using a smaller aperture to increase your depth of field, avoid using the maximum aperture available, which is often f/22.
Although f/22 gives you the greatest depth of field, it is also most susceptible to creating a soft image in which some of the sharpness is lost due to diffraction.
Instead, try to keep your aperture in the f/8-f/11 range, which is typically where the lens's sweet spot will be. Doing so will still get you a nice depth of field but will avoid the extreme softness that often occurs when shooting at f/22.

Try a Ring Flash

If you’ve got a macro scene you want to photograph but it’s just too dark to get a good exposure, try using a ring flash.
Not only will a ring flash give you nice, even light on your subject, it will also allow you to shoot at a higher shutter speed. This is advantageous if you want to photograph a fast-moving subject, like an insect, and want to freeze its movement.
A higher shutter speed is also great for windy days and for handholding your camera with less worry of camera shake.
Watch a quick tutorial on how to use a flash for macro photography in the video above by Silversurfer1.

Learn More:

• A Step-By-Step Guide to Macro Photography Jargon and Equipment

Don’t Be Afraid to Crop

^{Image Credit: BravissimoS via iStock}

The point of a macro shot is to get up close to the subject.
While you should endeavor to frame the shot tightly in-camera, don’t be afraid to make further adjustments to the framing in post-processing.
Cropping the image tightly will help you bring more attention to the subject by filling the frame with it. A tight crop also gives you the option of creating a more abstract composition by focusing the viewer’s attention on one small detail within the larger, original shot, as was done above.

Practice Patience

^{Image Credit: lauriek via iStock}

The advice to “be patient” may sound cliche and simplistic, but in the end, if you can’t be patient, macro photography (and any other type of photography, for that matter) will be impossible to master.
It’s difficult to avoid the temptation to run around, firing your shutter at all the pretty macro scenes you come across. But the resulting images will likely look hurried, and will probably suffer from poor exposure, blurriness, bad framing, or all of the above.
Instead, slow things down, be diligent in how you set up your camera and other gear, and the results will be much more pleasing!
Courtesy of: Photography Talk

We Wanderers Photography Retreat

We Wanderers Photography Retreat
 

 #photographyhobbyist  #photographybestoftheday #photographyforever

 

Lifestyle

Learn photography in a unique retreat setting, with a hands on education experience from Courtney Slazinik & amp; Trisha Hughes. Master how to tell your story as you connect with other women & explore how to embrace your distinct narrative.
Immerse yourself in a relaxed retreat setting, where you can connect with other inspiring women while learning photography in an intimate, supportive atmosphere.
Read more about We Wanderers Retreat & our Texas retreat in February

Learn photography in a supportive environment

During this four-day, three-night retreat, you’ll have the opportunity to learn photography in a hands-on environment with Courtney and Trisha.
You’ll dive deeper into manual mode, rules of photography and composition. Gain a greater understanding of your gear, lenses and editing in Adobe Lightroom Classic & stretch your skills with guided story-telling opportunities and a food photography styling session. With a balanced combination of education & photography lessons you’ll truly find benefit in a variety of different ways unique to you.

Tell your story through your photos

We want to help you tell your own unique story.
From the moment you join us, you’ll learn how to craft your story through your lens. Focus on the moments you don’t want to miss while capturing memories you’ll keep for a lifetime.
Perfect your photography skills while you wander with us. Interactive opportunities will provide moments for you to hone your storytelling skills while also experiencing new things each location has to offer.

Be inspired by a community of like-minded women.

Tap into your creative side and bloom with inspiration while connecting with women from all over the world. You’ll leave feeling refreshed & energized with a new group of friends who share your passion for photography.
Our goal is to remind you of the beautiful community and connection that happens when you meet like-minded women in an open and welcoming setting.
We look forward to sharing this unique retreat experience with you. We may arrive as strangers but we will leave as friends who shared laughter, community and our love of photography.
Click here to read more about our February retreat in Texas


Courtney Slazinik

My Saturday Evening

My Saturday Evening

 

•                           

1.  On my way to downtown St. Louis, I came across this situation in Overland Missouri.  Multiple fire trucks, blocked off streets, Police officers re-routing traffic, and a lot of general confusion.  I had my Minolta 300si camera with me, and because I had intended to take pictures anyway, this seemed like as good a place to begin as any.  Because the police were specifically directing people away from the buildings on the right side of the street, I knew I couldn't get close enough to see what was actually causing all the confusion.  So I used my zoom lens to try to get a closer shot in the hope of learning what was causing all the attention to the roof of the buildings.  Eventually the fire trucks began driving away, I never did find out what they were looking for, so my next stop was downtown St. Louis, Missouri.

 As the evening wore on, the sun was beginning to set, so I took a few quick shots of downtown.  I found a band in Keiner Plaza giving a concert.  They were actually pretty good musicians.  Songs by Lionel Ritchie, Michael Jackson, and Gladys Knight were part of their repertoire. 

 My next stop was Union Station Mall.  The photo below was taken just outside of the mall stores.  As you can see it's getting darker outside. The restaurant in the picture below is Landry's. The time of day is dusk.  The wooden bridge leading from the mall parking lot, across the moat to the restaurant has tivoli lights that give off just enough illumination to highlight the water under the bridge.      

 My final shot for the evening is of this water fountain.  It is dark outside, but the built in camera flash lights up the water beautifully.  

 This is the Minolta 300si film camera I used to take the pictures above.  It's a modestly priced piece of equipment.  You can find them on Ebay (where I found this one) for less than $35.00, including the shipping. A great first camera for student photographers.  I used auto focus mode to take these pictures because I wanted to see for myself whether or not the rumors I've heard about this camera are true.  The rumor is that it's almost impossible to take a bad picture with this model.  What do you think?  If you own one of these cameras, please give me your opinion.  'til then, Happy Shutter bugging!   

 This is a re-post from October 2011

 #photographyhobbyist  #photographybestoftheday #photographyforever

Essentials of Winter Photography

#photographyhobbyist  #photographybestoftheday #photographyforever

^{Image Credit: edb3_16 via iStock} 

Taking great photos is hard enough, but in the winter, the challenge is even greater thanks to things like cold, snow, and wind.
But that doesn't mean you should tuck tail and run inside...
There are just too many excellent opportunities for photos during the winter to do that!
Instead, if you stock up on the essentials of winter photography, you'll be primed and ready to combat the cold and the snow and to get great shots, too.
Here's a quick list of items you need to beat Old Man Winter.

Photography Gloves for Winter are a Sound Investment

Hands-down (no pun intended), one of the best items you can buy for cold weather photography is a good pair of gloves.
You can't very well operate your camera if you can't use your hands, so gloves are an absolute must.
Of course, any old glove will do, but if you want the ultimate in comfort and functionality, photography gloves are the way to go.
Gloves like those pictured above and below that have fingertips that fold back are perfectly suited for cold weather photography.
Not only do your hands stay warm, but you can still easily work your camera settings as well.

But not all photography gloves are made equally, so it's important to do your due diligence before buying.
I've tested a large number of gloves over the years, and one of the most pleasant surprises of late has been my pair of Freehands Photography Gloves.
What I like about these gloves is that they're warm thanks to the windproof/waterproof barrier on the back, but they aren't bulky either.
What's more, the magnetic finger caps are easy to flip back and keep out of the way, that way my photography workflow can go on uninterrupted.

Better still, Freehands has incorporated a palm patch to give you extra grip so you're sure not to drop your camera, phone or other gear when you're out and about in the cold.
Best of all, though, these gloves are budget-friendly. The men's Stretch Thinsulate Gloves shown above have an MSRP of just $35.00 - a price that's honestly mind-bogglingly low price considering the features and functionality of these gloves.

That just goes to show that you don't have to break the bank to get top-notch wintertime photography gear!

Warm Boots are a Must for Winter Photography

^{Image Credit: DieterMeyrl via iStock}

Aside from cold hands, there's just about nothing worse than dealing with ice-cold feet when you're trying to capture winter's beauty.
There are tons of options here, but in my experience, I've found giant, heavy winter boots to be more of a burden than anything.
They're hard to get on and off, for starters, and they can be cumbersome due to their weight and bulk.

Instead, winter hikers like the Columbia Bugaboot Plus IV shown above is a great choice.
Not only are these boots waterproof, but they also have 200 grams of insulation and thermal-reflective lining to keep those toes warm. To keep the soles of your feet warm, these boots have significant insulation underfoot, that way when you're standing out in the snow taking pictures, heat loss through the bottom of the boot is all but eliminated.

These boots also have waterproof and seam-sealed construction, so you can rest assured that rain and snow won't find its way into the boot. They're breathable as well, so you don't have to worry about your feet getting sweaty!

With the grippy Michelin outsole, you'll be sure-footed as well. The leather and nylon construction is rugged while the metal hardware will provide long-lasting durability.
Plus, these things are lightweight at just 24.8 ounces, so hiking around in them is far easier than huge, bulky boots.
If you'll be wandering through deep snow, just add a pair of gaiters to keep the snow from entering the top of the boot. Though, Columbia has shaped the heel of the boot to make it easier to attach snowshoes, so you can just walk on top of the snow instead of sinking into it!

Wear Multiple Layers of Clothes

^{Image Credit: miodrag ignjatovic via iStock}

Obviously, you need a good jacket and winter pants that offer waterproofness, windproofeness, and insulation.
But when it gets really cold outside, it's prudent to wear layers of clothing.
Opt for wool instead of cotton for your base layers, as wool will wick moisture away from the skin and prevent you from getting chilled should you start to sweat.
I have wool socks, wool long johns, a wool top, and a wool beanie that I sport for the coldest of days out shooting, and I'm always toasty warm.

Warm Up Those Tripod Legs Too

I have a SIRUI W-2204 waterproof carbon fiber tripod that's a beast no matter the weather.
But what I appreciate most about it is that it has so many features that make cold weather photography more pleasant.
That includes the integrated rubber feet with metal spikes that help ensure the tripod stays put, even on snow and ice.
I also like the fact that there's a center column hook so I can add weight to keep the tripod steadier in stiff winter breezes.

I think my favorite feature (apart from the quick-lock leg locks, the integrated bubble level, and the built-in monopod) is that there are integrated leg warmers.
Even though carbon fiber isn't as cold as aluminum, it's still a bit of a shock to the system when you grab super cold tripod legs.
And with warmers on two of the three legs, it's not like I have to fish around to find a good, solid grip when my hands are cold.

Of course, many tripods don't have integrated leg warmers.
If your tripod is in that category, consider adding some aftermarket warmth.
You can pick up Velcro wraparound tripod leg warmers for about $50, which is a bit spendy, but on those bitterly-cold days out shooting, it's worth the money not to have to handle cold tripod legs!

Protect Your Camera and Lens from Moisture

Whether it's a cold winter rain or super wet snow, moisture is definitely an enemy when it comes to your expensive photography gear.
That means that it's necessary to take precautions to protect your gear from getting wet - even if you have a professional camera and lens that have weatherproofing.
There are many different types of weather covers you can get to protect your gear. Some, like the one from Ewa-Marine shown above, come with a neutral optical glass front port for protecting the lens glass as well as the lens body and camera. It's a little expensive, but cheaper models are available.
Besides, when it comes to protecting thousands of dollars of photography gear, you probably don't want to skimp on the weather protection!

Final Thoughts

^{Image Credit: Nikola Nastasic via iStock}

As noted in the introduction, there are so many opportunities to capture beautiful winter photos. It's a shame that so many photographers choose not to shoot in cold, wintery conditions.
If you've been sitting on the sidelines because of the cold weather in winter, get geared up with things like gloves, boots, layers of clothes, and some protective equipment for your gear, and get out there and shoot!
You might just find that the quiet solitude of having cold, wintry landscapes to yourself makes all the time and effort well worth it!

Courtesy of: Photography Talk 

Ring Jewelry Photography Tutorial - Shooting and Editing Rings

    
#photographyhobbyist  #photographybestoftheday #photographyforever

Photog Shocked After His $1.88 Stock Photo Shows Up On Walmart Goods

Dec 22, 2018

Michael Zhang

Heads up: if you sell your photos as microstock, companies can use your work in big ways for a very, very small payment. A photographer just found that out the hard way after he found one of his photos featured on a number of products in Walmart.

Globalnews.ca reports that Fredericton, New Brunswick-based photographer Michael Stemm was made aware of his photos in Walmart after his friends stumbled across the products.
Upon visiting a local Walmart himself, Stemm found his photo on greeting cards, calendars, and even large throw blankets.

Still frames of footage recorded by Stemm during his Walmart trip.

Stemm had captured the photograph back in December 2017 while walking across a snowy bridge in the city. He shared it widely across social media and has been selling cards and prints of it.
Then in February 2018, he learned of using microstock photography to generate extra income, so he “randomly uploaded one picture” to the stock photo service Shutterstock.
The photographer never read Shutterstock’s terms and agreement and never checked his account again after uploading the photo, according to Globalnews.ca.
Stemm says he was then shocked to find his photo being “exploited by big companies.”
It turns out a Newfoundland-based company called Islandwide Distributors (IWD) had licensed Stemm’s photo royalty-free from Shutterstock for just $1.88.

The $1.88 Stemm earned from the sale.

The company then turned around and made at least 500,000 units of products with it — Stemm learned this number after reaching out to the company.
So while Stemm’s experience may seem unfair, it was likely entirely lawful and within Islandwide’s rights.
Stemm posted a video to his Facebook page to tell his story and warn others about it:
“Walmart is selling my picture without my permission throughout all New Brunswick,” Stemm writes in the description. “I feel like I am being taken advantage of in this situation.”
The video has since been viewed over 60,000 times, and it attracted the attention of Walmart Canada, which apologized in the comments and reached out.

Unfortunately for Stemm, he isn’t even able to withdraw the $1.88 he earned, as his account needs to reach a balance of $50 before he can see the funds.
“I just don’t think it’s fair that they bought the picture on Shutterstock for $1.88 and they’re able to exploit it that much and get that much profit,” Stemm says. “The lesson that’ll be learned here is: don’t use Shutterstock if this is actually how it’s going to be. I didn’t expect it to get exploited this way.”
Lesson learned indeed.

Courtesy Of: Pita Pixel 

How to shoot a panorama in photography | Tutorial, definition, equipment...

 

#photographyhobbyist  #photographybestoftheday #photographyforever

I think you'll really enjoy todays' post from an interesting blog I found called "ClickinMoms.com".  Enjoy!

 #photographyhobbyist  #photographybestoftheday #photographyforever

5 Ways to add a touch of magic to your indoor holiday photos

by Sopo Titvinidze | 4 Comments

• 
  
• 
  

Share262

Tweet

Pin10

272 Shares

The holiday season is such a special time of year. Thousands of glimmering bulbs light up the streets, there’s cheerful music everywhere, kids are excited about presents from Santa and parents are filled with joy (assuming Christmas shopping is done and out of the way). It’s almost as if there’s magic in the air, making everything a bit brighter and happier. But how can we capture that feeling — the spirit of the holidays — in our photos?
I’m going to share a few tips to instill a touch of magic into your indoor holiday photos. These simple tricks can transform your at-home holiday pictures from ordinary to extraordinary.

1. Create flare for a more dramatic look.

Lens flare or sun flare can add drama to an otherwise ordinary scene, like a child sleeping or playing near a window. This helps create emotion in your image, giving it a nostalgic or hopeful look.
To achieve great lens flare, find a window with direct light coming in and shoot right at the sun. Start out by turning on your camera’s live view and pointing the lens toward the sun. Move the camera around until you see the desired flare effect. Even the slightest of movements will lead to a change in the appearance of the flare. This technique can take a lot of experimentation and practice, so patience and observation are key.

Pro Tip:

Play with your aperture to create more diverse flares. In general, a wider aperture (like f/2) will create a softer looking flare, while a more narrow aperture (like f/22) will define the sun’s rays.

Save

Save

2. Add a dream-like feeling by freelensing.

You don’t need a special lens to create a completely magical look. Simply detach your lens from the camera body and try freelensing to turn any ordinary scene into a magical fairyland. Here’s a tutorial. I find it easiest to use my camera’s live view and zoom in to find the narrow slice of focus. As with many experimental techniques, there will be a lot of missed shots, but that one that you do get right will be worth all the labor!

Pro Tip:

To further soften your background, use sheer curtains to filter the light. By including a curtain-draped window in your frame, you can add an ethereal, dreamy feel to the photograph.

Save

Save

3. Focus on what’s important with a wider aperture.

Use a wide aperture lens (like one with a max aperture of f/1.2 or f/1.4) and shoot at the lowest possible f-stop. By narrowly focusing on small details and allowing other elements in the foreground or background to blur, you’re showing the viewer exactly what’s important in the image and allowing him or her to fill in the rest of the story. Creamy bokeh also adds a dreamy quality to the photos, which can feel ethereal and magical. As a result, the image better represents what the moment felt like, rather than how it looked.

Save

10 magical holiday props to try

1. Gingerbread house with powdered sugar and a sifter

2. Classic holiday-themed toys

3. Handmade decorations and tree ornaments

4. Holiday books, such as The Night Before Christmas

5. Steaming mug of hot cocoa

6. Extra Christmas tree lights

7. Seasonal PJs

8. Sheer curtains

9. Presents

10. Gold or silver glitter or confetti

4. Set the mood with sunbeams.

Sunbeams add a little extra something to an image. Maybe it’s a nostalgic feeling, or a little touch of magic. Maybe it’s those leading lines hitting your subject like a spotlight. Either way, capturing sunbeams in an image can add another layer of mood and emotion to your indoor holiday photos.
To capture sunbeams, you’ll need smoke, dust or fog and a clear day with bright direct sunlight coming into a room. Try frying bacon (my preferred method) or sugar to fill the room with aromatic smoke. This will make visible the slanted sunbeams falling through the window, skylight or door and add a totally different atmosphere to your images.

Pro Tip:

Shooting against a darker background is key to really bringing sunbeams to life.

Save

5. Capture holiday cheer by adding some sparkle.

Nothing says Christmas like the twinkling of lights! You can capture the unmistakable holiday atmosphere by creatively photographing through, around and in front of lights. Use a wide aperture and position the lights in the foreground or background of your frame to create gorgeous bokeh. Find angles where you can capture your subject and keep the lights out of focus.
It’s a good idea to add even more lights to your home or Christmas tree than you think you need to give your photos extra sparkle. I like to add a new strand of Christmas lights to our tree every year, because what feels just right for the tree in person is far from enough for magical photos with twinkling lights. Right now, I have about 500 bulbs for my modest tree and I still don’t feel like it’s enough!

Pro Tip:

To properly expose my kids’ faces next to the glistening tree lights, I often shoot while it’s still light outside.

Save

More tips for magical indoor holiday photos.

• Move around: Don’t be afraid to move your favorite holiday activity near the window, Christmas tree or other areas where you think you have the best chance to add magic to your photographs.
• Try a double exposure: If you’re unable to have both the twinkle lights and your subject in the same frame, consider in-camera double exposure. Here’s a detailed tutorial.
• Glitter it up: Add gold confetti or glitter to any scene to transform an ordinary scene into something magical.

About the Author: Sopo Titvinidze

Sopo is a self-taught photographer, originally from the small, yet gorgeous country of Georgia, now living on Long Island, NY. She seeks to document her two daughters’ everyday through authentic, story-telling photographs. She is constantly exploring new mediums to feed her need for creativity, be it designing intricate jewelry, drafting and sewing children’s garments or learning to paint with watercolors. Visit Sopo Titvinidze online.