Every year, parents across the country face a familiar challenge: capturing that perfect, magical photo of their children in front of the Christmas tree. The struggle to get the lighting right, avoid blurry shots, and create a photo worthy of the holiday card can feel overwhelming. Many parents are turning to TikTok for tips to achieve their dream shot using a tool they already have in their pocket: an iPhone.
Jenna, a photographer who shares her expertise on TikTok under the handle @jen_rydelek, has gone viral for her simple yet effective family photography tutorials. Her videos empower parents to take professional-style photos of their kids, transforming frustrating photo sessions into successful, cherished memories. One popular video offers a simple step-by-step guide to creating an enchanting, warmly-lit portrait by the Christmas tree.
So, how do you get that frame-worthy picture? According to Jenna, the process can be surprisingly straightforward.
Set the Scene
First, time your photoshoot by waiting until it’s dark outside. The key is to make the Christmas tree the star of the show. Turn off all the other lights in the room, allowing the warm glow of the tree to be your primary light source. This creates a cozy, intimate atmosphere that is difficult to replicate with overhead lighting.
Next, open the camera app on your iPhone and switch to Portrait mode. This feature is designed to mimic the effect of a professional DSLR camera, creating a sharp focus on your subject while beautifully blurring the background. Within Portrait mode, make sure your phone is on the “natural light” setting. To achieve that dreamy, soft background, adjust the F-stop setting down to f/1.4. This will maximize the light from the tree and create a beautiful bokeh effect with the twinkling lights. Now, you’re ready to snap the photo of your little one.
Boost the Magic With a Little Editing
Once you have the shot, the final touches happen in the editing tool. Jenna’s specific recipe for a magical finish is simple. Open the photo and select “Edit.” Apply the “Dramatic” filter to enhance the contrast and mood. From there, make a few minor adjustments to the settings. Raise the black point to 8 to deepen the shadows, increase the warmth to 13 to bring out the golden glow of the lights, and adjust the tint to 5. These small changes work together to create a rich, polished image that looks professionally edited.
The response to Jenna’s video has been overwhelmingly positive, with the comments section filled with grateful parents, thanking her for demystifying the process of creating enchanting images of their kids. Notes of appreciation across Jenna’s various tutorial videos include countless comments about how her simple tips have helped them finally capture the festive photos they’ve always wanted.
@jen_rydelek Professional Christmas Photoshoot while using your iPhone🎄 DIRECTIONS 👇🏻 •Night time photoshoot •Shut all lights off •Turn Christmas Tree on •Open your iPhone Camera •Click Portrait Mode •Natural light sign on •Bring F stop to 1.4 Edit and adjust settings to 👇🏻 Filters – Dramatic Black Point 8 Warmth 13 Tint 5 Nightgown linked in my bio under amazon! #iphonephotography #iphonephotographer #momphotographer #christmasphotoshoot #christmasphotography #iphonehack #momblogger #christmastime #momlife #diymom #momsofinstagram #diychristmas #christmastree #kidschristmas #momblogger #christmasphotography #jesusisthereasonfortheseason #rawmotherhood #christmasphotos #momof4 #magicalmoments #magicalphotography #magicofchildhood #magicofmotherhood #athomephotoshoot #diyphotoshoot #diyathome #sahmlife #momoffour #postpartum #fourthtrimester #firstchristmas #momtok #momsoftiktok ♬ Maestro – Hans Zimmer
Preserving Holiday Memories with Stunning Photos
Don’t have kids, but want to try a tree-side magical photo shoot? The same steps can be used to take beautiful, heartwarming portraits of a beloved pet sitting by the tree. By following these simple instructions, it feels easier than ever to capture the unique magic of the holidays, leaving us with stunning photos to look back on for years to come.
