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

Edit to enhance, not overwhelm
For many, the fear of making a photo look over-edited is real. The key, according to lifestyle creator and photography enthusiast Niharika Jain, is to focus on enhancing what's already there. "I usually stick to Lightroom and Snapseed for fine-tuning 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. “The goal is for the photo to feel organic and timeless, not a victim of fleeting trends,” she poses.

Beauty creator Aashi Adani echoes this sentiment, with a simple, impactful suggestion, "My absolute favourite go-to is the Lightroom phone app. I play around with their preset filters. Pick a preset that adds warmth. You don’t need to be an expert—just swipe through, see what feels right for your photo, and boom, instant magic."

Similarly, dancer and creator Ishika Bhargawa and fashion and lifestyle creator Nilam Parmar both advocate for minimal editing. "If I’m in a rush, the auto-edit on iPhone or VSCO does the trick. But when I really want that soft, dreamy golden-hour glow, Lightroom is my go-to. A little tweak in warmth and vibrance can transform the entire mood of the photo while keeping it natural," says Bhargawa. Parmar adds, "It’s like polishing what nature gave you, softening shadows, making skin tones glow, and giving the photo that festival-of-lights energy."

Styling traditional elements for a modern twist
How do you honour tradition while staying on-trend? Jain believes it's all about contrast. She suggests, “Pair 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 worthy.”

She also recommends including commonly found festive décor. “Props like diyas, flowers, or rangoli can also be styled in a minimal way to add a pop of festivity without looking cluttered. It's about respecting tradition while packaging it in a way that feels fresh, relatable, and aspirational."

Simple props that make a big impact
Sometimes, the simplest things can elevate a photo from good to great. All the creators we spoke to had a consistent answer: lights and flowers.

Light up your frame
Adani highlights the transformative power of lights, "The soft glow of the fairy lights or even a few diyas placed carefully adds this magical touch. It’s like your frame comes alive with warmth and sparkle, giving it that perfect cozy, celebratory feel without any extra effort."

Let your dupatta flow
Parmar 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 staged.

Celebrate with flowers
For Bhargawa, flowers are the go-to prop, "They bring instant vibrance, warmth, and cultural charm to the frame. Whether it’s holding a small bunch, creating a floral backdrop, or even tossing petals in the air, flowers make every shot feel celebratory and alive."

Posing that doesn't feel posed
The secret to a great photo is capturing genuine emotion, and our creators have perfected the art of planned-candid shots.

Planning the candid look
Adani shares her go-to 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 you’re thinking of something nice. This little planned-candid always works."

The secret to authentic smiles
Bhargawa’s advice is even simpler: "Fake laughter with their photographer—it feels silly at first, but within seconds it turns into real laughter. That’s when you capture the most authentic smiles and candid expressions."

Capturing connection: Poses for couples
For couples, Jain suggests interactive prompts. "I’ll ask them to walk towards each other and meet halfway, whisper a funny secret in each other’s ear, or twirl each other around. These actions create genuine laughter and movement, making the photos feel alive and authentic. Parmar adds to this, “A twirl or a playful walk works wonders, and those micro-moments of genuine laughter and closeness translate into the kind of chemistry you can’t fake."

Photographing kids and groups naturally
Photographing kids and large groups can be a challenge, but the pros know how to get the perfect shot without the stiffness.

For kids: Seek spontaneous joy
Jain’s strategy for kids is simple: "Don’t ask them to pose; I just follow them with my camera." She suggests giving them small, activity-based prompts, like handing them balloons or letting them play with colours, "These activities spark real joy, and that’s when their expressions are the most genuine."

For groups: Ditch the stiff poses
For large groups, the consensus is to ditch the stiff lineup. "Don’t 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 photo,” explains Adani.

For family photos: Encourage interaction
Bhargawa calls this the secret to interaction. She encourages groups to talk, laugh, or walk together, “Those in-between moments when people are genuinely connecting make the photo feel warm, happy, and true to the festive spirit." Parmar adds, "I’ll 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."

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