Following up on the success of the 7 Pictures You Must Take on Christmas, I thought I’d give you some suggestions for photos to take on Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving Dinner Photos
There are only a few times a year where all of the cousins are together and everyone is looking presentable. So why not make the best of it and snap some photos? And hint, hint – these make excellent Christmas gifts.
Thanksgiving Dinner Photos to Take on Turkey Day
What Photos to Take on Thanksgiving Day
These aren’t my finest work, while quality is great – capturing the moment is just essential. As mentioned – Here’s some not so great images that could have been helped with attention to angles and lighting but alas, I didn’t. Learn from my mistakes and pay attention to the lighting and angles BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY CAPTURE THE MEMORY!
Thanksgiving Photo Checklist
Here is a Thanksgiving Check List – see examples of these photos from my family’s Thanksgiving day over the years.
I look at these and can tell you the story behind every shot. Something I have mentioned before, but will again – I am by no means a photographer. I just like taking photos that capture the story that is happening.
Capturing Thanksgiving Memories
You want the Thanksgiving day photo that you take to be something that you look back on and are instantly transformed to that moment. So remember that as you are snapping this turkey day! Enough yapping, let’s look at the 7 photos to take on Thanksgiving:
Baking the Thanksgiving Meal
There is so much love that goes into the Thanksgiving meal, capture the baking process.
This photo is of my niece and daughter as they were making dessert. Both dressed in aprons, smiling and giddy. I love seeing my daughter in braces and bands. These are the memories that you want to capture. Fun, personal and ones that have a story behind them.
Mom in her apron. The kid helping mix the mashed potatoes. Setting the table. These are fun shots that induce memory.
Photos of the Thanksgiving Dinner
All that hard work in the kitchen deserves recognition.
This was our Thanksgiving dinner tablescape last year. It ain’t fancy because we ain’t fancy. We are more of a Thanksgiving buffet type family. It works, and all of that homemade macaroni and cheese was devoured.
Here are some more Thanksgiving Dinner photos from over the years. You will see the lighting is crappy in most, but they capture the moment in time.
Isn’t this turkey cheese ball adorable? Again, crappy photo but great memory and GREAT Thanksgiving idea!
TJust think, 20 years from now your kids will be looking at these thinking – “MOM! How do I make that pink stuff?” his Thanksgiving day photo was from 2016 at my sister-in-law’s. Her feast never disappoints and there are ALWAYS Thanksgiving leftovers.
My mother-in-law always makes an amazing Thanksgiving feast.
Thanksgiving Photos of the Kids
Take photos of the kids on Thanksgiving day because next year (and many years after that) you will thank me! They grow so, so quickly.
Our littlest, I miss them being little. Zeke was just a few months old, ready for his first Thanksgiving dinner (he slept, but how cute is he!)
Here are more photos of the kids on Thanksgiving day.
Kids are always fun to capture around the kids table at Thanksgiving.
I’m sorry, kids doing the “See Food” move is hilarious to me. I love watching the expression of kids as they dive into the macaroni and cheese.
Take Photos of the Family on Thanksgiving
Family is family – and photos on Thanksgiving should be a requirement!
Here is a Thanksgiving pic of me and my siblings with our dad. My sister’s lovely baby bump with Bryce also made the photo!
Grab a family photo while you can. You may want to do this before eating. Kids tend to like to wear their food – but those make fun photos as well.
Elderly with Kids
I can’t think of a tact way to say this, but it’s important to note.
Time is a commodity you cannot replace. Make sure to grab the picture of your kids with Aunt Sarah. Stick a few lollipops in your pocket and bribe them. Photos are sometimes all we have left when someone leaves us, so capture them when you can.
Football Game
We are in Dallas and there isn’t a Thanksgiving dinner that isn’t complete without the Dallas Cowboys game on.
Take a photo of grandpa screaming at the TV.
Photos of the Turkey Coma
The recliner shot – relaxed, DONE WITH THE DAY.
Okay, so it’s probably all of the carbs that are killing your energy level – not the turkey but still. Start snapping as the naps and laziness happen. It’s inevitable in our house to see a few heads nod off (this is me, during the football game.) Bonus points if you can get a photo of Dad sleeping!
Thanksgiving Shenanigans
Would Thanksgiving be Thanksgiving without shenanigans?
This was us last year. I busted a glass dish – dropped it unintentionally – it went everywhere and stalled Thanksgiving dinner by a good hour. There was glass everywhere. We found shards of glass for months after this incident!
Capture the good, the bad and the funny. Okay – maybe don’t capture the fight that the Uncles are having in regards to who is in the White House or who should be elected, but you get my drift!
Photos and Memories
Remember to shoot photos for memories. When you shoot, just think to yourself, “What do I want to remember from today?” Let that be your guide and then start clicking!
It’s also important to note – enjoy this time with your family. Don’t spend all of your time behind the camera, and put down that smartphone.
Happy Thanksgiving!
