How to take the best photo for your Santa video

The short answer

Stand back so the whole tree and some floor show, turn on the tree lights, hold your phone sideways, and keep the path to the tree clear. Take the photo in the evening with soft light. A clear, wide photo gives Santa room to walk in.

Your photo is the stage for Santa. The video starts from this picture, so a good photo gives a better video. It takes under a minute.

Six tips

  1. Stand back. Show the whole tree, the floor in front of it and some of the room. Santa needs floor to walk on.
  2. Hold your phone sideways. A wide (landscape) photo gives Santa room to walk in from the side.
  3. Turn on the tree lights. Evening light with the tree lit looks like Christmas Eve.
  4. Keep the path clear. Move toys, bags and pets out of the space in front of the tree.
  5. Hold still and focus. Tap the tree on your screen before you take the photo. A sharp photo gives a sharp video.
  6. Leave people out. Take the photo of the empty room. Do not include children or family photos you do not want in the video.

What to avoid

  • Very dark photos, or a bright window behind the tree
  • Close-ups of the tree only, with no floor
  • Filters and edits
  • Screenshots or photos from the internet. Use a photo of your own room.

Questions

Can I use an old photo of my room?

Yes, if the tree and the room look the same as on Christmas morning. Kids notice when the presents or decorations are different.

Do I need a special camera?

No. Any phone camera works.

What if the video is not right?

If a name is missing or something looks wrong, we make the video again at no cost.

Does the photo need to show a Christmas tree?

It works best with a tree, because Santa leaves the presents under it. A fireplace or a corner with stockings also works.