I like to think the final month of the year, often the hardest season to stay motivated, as an opportune time seek inspiration and get out your camera. While the short days and low light can prove challenging, there are more opportunities than you might realize. With mindfulness in seeking light, intention behind grabbing your camera, you can tell the story of the season and what it looks like for you. If that doesn’t at first resonate with you, looking for meaningful moments in this season can change your perspective and how you feel this time of year. Ideally, for the better.

At the end of the day, the best photos are the ones you take...just for you. The happiness captured, the meal shared — those are the experiences that make up this season. So do your best to take the photos that matter to you, but maybe even more importantly, put the camera down after you’ve gotten your shot to experience it for yourself. It’s all waiting for you.

Tell The Story

When you’re in the mindset to document the season, you’ll find that your camera roll fills with images that warm your heart. Make sure to capture details of your days: coffee in the morning, cold walks, family at the table, the first snowfall, holiday decor, etc. Welcome in both the good and the bad images —finding beauty in the blurry and authenticity in the imperfection. By month’s end, you’ll be able to clearly see the month unfold on your camera roll. It’s amazing what we notice and forget, what spoke to us one moment and not the next; don’t underestimate having your camera near and snapping a shot when it feels right.

Embracing Cozy

There’s no better time of year to grab a warm mug and gather with those you love, or around things you love. With shorter days in our midst, you can capture simple or candid moments — inside or out. To accomplish this on an iPhone, seek out a light source (a candle, lamp, or well lit tree) and tap to focus on the light. Drag down the exposure to make a moody, yet peaceful, photo. Looking to create blur? Put your camera into portrait mode and back away from the subject.

Gather Around

I’m a big fan of candid, but this is the time of year to capture that one photo with everyone in it. Don’t overthink it, you can put your camera self-timer (a remote works wonders here) and gather everyone around. However, with things being so different this year, if it is just one or two of you, those quiet, smaller moments are just as valuable. If you’re indoors, be sure to face a window for best exposure. Or, move sideways to a window for dramatic side light, or shoot from behind (backlit) for a less direct, but impactful photo together. You certainly don’t have to be smiling at the camera for a good image.

Get Outside

Alongside sweater weather comes ample opportunities to get outside and mark your season with adventure. Whether it be a long walk in the woods with your beloved pup, the first snowfall, or a simple search for the tree with the most character — you’ll have plenty of opportunities to take out your camera. If you find yourself in snow, make sure to use the blank canvas to your advantage. While shooting falling snow can be tricky, you’ll have the most success when you avoid direct sunlight, or simply remember to underexpose to save details if the sun is out. Also, highlighting a vibrant subject (like a jacket or sled) can help bring contrast and interest into your photo.

CANDID MOMENTS

'Tis the season of surprises. Whether it’s gathering with loved ones, little feet running down the stairs, the excitement after the first bite of a homemade dessert, that split-second reaction upon opening a gift, you’ll want to return to this type of joy. Put your camera into burst mode to shoot continually and later pick your favorite shots. Another option? Put your phone camera in video mode and press the white circle on the bottom left to capture images within the video.

Change Your Perspective

Changing your perspective will make your season uniquely yours; do your best to find ways to bring this to life. Whether it be getting eye level of your kiddos or pups, you’ll be happy to capture the world at their level of perspective. Snapping the small details that are so easily missed, cropping your photo in to create a new view, and peeking into a window to capture a genuine moment.

Create Something

You don’t have to have a keen eye or any particular talent to make a pretty display to photograph. Whether it’s placing your blanket around your mug of coffee as the morning sunlight streams in, or your harvest the last of the apples from your tree, take some time to build a photo from scratch. What do you come up with? You might love it or hate it, but either way, that intention and a little practice can go a long way. Just give it a try and see what happens.