Beyond the selfie: Follow these pro-tips for festive photos that shine

The festive season is upon us bringing with it a vibrant array of colours lights and celebrations As Navratri and upcoming festivals fill the air with joy its the perfect time to capture those magical momentsBut how do you get that perfect naturallooking photo that stands out on Instagram We spoke to top creators and photographers to get their insider tips on making your festive photos shine These tips prove that the best festive photos arent about perfection but about capturing real genuine joy and connectionEdit to enhance not overwhelmFor many the fear of making a photo look overedited is real The key according to lifestyle creator and photography enthusiast Niharika Jain is to focus on enhancing whats already there I usually stick to Lightroom and Snapseed for finetuning and VSCO for tones My main focus is on the basics like adjusting exposure contrast and white balance rather than layering heavy filters she says Jain emphasises that editing should feel like an enhancement not a complete change allowing natural light and real colours to shine through ldquoThe goal is for the photo to feel organic and timeless not a victim of fleeting trendsrdquo she posesBeauty creator Aashi Adani echoes this sentiment with a simple impactful suggestion My absolute favourite goto is the Lightroom phone app I play around with their preset filters Pick a preset that adds warmth You donrsquot need to be an expertmdashjust swipe through see what feels right for your photo and boom instant magicSimilarly dancer and creator Ishika Bhargawa and fashion and lifestyle creator Nilam Parmar both advocate for minimal editing If Irsquom in a rush the autoedit on iPhone or VSCO does the trick But when I really want that soft dreamy goldenhour glow Lightroom is my goto A little tweak in warmth and vibrance can transform the entire mood of the photo while keeping it natural says Bhargawa Parmar adds Itrsquos like polishing what nature gave you softening shadows making skin tones glow and giving the photo that festivaloflights energyStyling traditional elements for a modern twistHow do you honour tradition while staying ontrend Jain believes its all about contrast She suggests ldquoPair a traditional lehenga with sneakers or wearing a heavy jhumka with a simple white shirt to create an unexpected twist which feels very modern and Instagram worthyrdquoShe also recommends including commonly found festive deacutecor ldquoProps like diyas flowers or rangoli can also be styled in a minimal way to add a pop of festivity without looking cluttered Its about respecting tradition while packaging it in a way that feels fresh relatable and aspirationalSimple props that make a big impactSometimes the simplest things can elevate a photo from good to great All the creators we spoke to had a consistent answer lights and flowersLight up your frameAdani highlights the transformative power of lights The soft glow of the fairy lights or even a few diyas placed carefully adds this magical touch Itrsquos like your frame comes alive with warmth and sparkle giving it that perfect cozy celebratory feel without any extra effortLet your dupatta flowParmar agrees suggesting either fairy lights or a colourful dupatta Fairy lights add that soft sparkle especially in dusk shots while a flowing dupatta can bring movement texture and cultural richness into the frame She notes that both are lightweight props that feel natural not stagedCelebrate with flowersFor Bhargawa flowers are the goto prop They bring instant vibrance warmth and cultural charm to the frame Whether itrsquos holding a small bunch creating a floral backdrop or even tossing petals in the air flowers make every shot feel celebratory and alivePosing that doesnt feel posedThe secret to a great photo is capturing genuine emotion and our creators have perfected the art of plannedcandid shotsPlanning the candid lookAdani shares her goto pose Instead of staring straight into the camera just turn your head slightly to the left or right Then let your eyes rest softly around your eye level Add a gentle soft smile like yoursquore thinking of something nice This little plannedcandid always worksThe secret to authentic smilesBhargawarsquos advice is even simpler Fake laughter with their photographermdashit feels silly at first but within seconds it turns into real laughter Thatrsquos when you capture the most authentic smiles and candid expressionsCapturing connection Poses for couplesFor couples Jain suggests interactive prompts Irsquoll ask them to walk towards each other and meet halfway whisper a funny secret in each otherrsquos ear or twirl each other around These actions create genuine laughter and movement making the photos feel alive and authentic Parmar adds to this ldquoA twirl or a playful walk works wonders and those micromoments of genuine laughter and closeness translate into the kind of chemistry you canrsquot fakePhotographing kids and groups naturallyPhotographing kids and large groups can be a challenge but the pros know how to get the perfect shot without the stiffnessFor kids Seek spontaneous joyJainrsquos strategy for kids is simple Donrsquot ask them to pose I just follow them with my camera She suggests giving them small activitybased prompts like handing them balloons or letting them play with colours These activities spark real joy and thatrsquos when their expressions are the most genuineFor groups Ditch the stiff posesFor large groups the consensus is to ditch the stiff lineup Donrsquot ask them to just pose Instead get them talking moving or even teasing each other a bit This approach makes people forget about the camera leading to real smiles and a warm happy and totally natural photordquo explains AdaniFor family photos Encourage interactionBhargawa calls this the secret to interaction She encourages groups to talk laugh or walk together ldquoThose inbetween moments when people are genuinely connecting make the photo feel warm happy and true to the festive spirit Parmar adds Irsquoll encourage them to tell a funny family story crack an inside joke or even do a playful action together The laughter and interactions that follow capture the true festive spirit much better than a formal pose ever could