Make Your Party Photos Pop with Creative Shots

The holidays are that time of the year when you’re busy sharing laughter and unforgettable moments with your loved ones. So of course, you’ll want to capture those happy smiles with the season’s glowing lights and energy-filled activities in a creative way! Having a good Canon camera certainly helps, but you should also know how to make the most of its settings and lenses so you can take creative photos with ease. Here are a few tips for making your party photos more memorable and stunning:

Pick the right settings for party photos

Most people are moving around during parties, so you need to adjust your camera settings accordingly.

When taking photos in low light, choose a slower shutter speed so more light reaches the sensor.

But if you’re shooting handheld or your subject moves too much, you can avoid blurred images by raising your ISO. This will let you use a faster shutter speed without underexposing your shot, letting you freeze motion while still capturing the atmosphere of the scene.

Blur the backgrounds and foregrounds

When used creatively, festive lights and shiny decorations can bring more visual interest to your photos. These light sources even become soft, glowing shapes known as bokeh when they fall outside the focus area.

You can easily capture bokeh with your Canon camera by setting your lens to a wide aperture, so it creates a shallow depth of field. Your subject stays sharp while the background melts into a smooth blur. Try to use lenses with wide maximum apertures, such as the Canon RF 45mm F1.2 STM or the Canon RF 50mm F1.8 STM, because they work especially well for bokeh. You can also get satisfying results at smaller apertures like f/5.6 by increasing the distance between your subject and the background or stepping closer to your subject.

Capture natural moments with candid shots

While posed photos have their place, candid images often show the most genuine expressions at a party. Using your Canon camera with a zoom lens, such as the Canon RF-S 18–45mm F4.5–6.3 IS STM, lets you photograph people from a distance without drawing attention. With built-in image stabilisation, you don’t have to worry about blurred shots, even when shooting handheld.

For candid shots, avoid using flash when possible. Pairing a wide aperture with a moderate to high ISO will keep your images sharp while maintaining a natural look. You could also turn off the AF assist light to help your subjects stay relaxed, resulting in photos that feel spontaneous and authentic.

Add motion blur by lowering your shutter speed

With a slower shutter speed, you can capture movement in the frame while keeping the rest of the scene steady. Set your shutter speed to around 1/10 or 1/20 second on your Canon camera if you’re shooting handheld. Make sure there’s a clearly visible subject that remains mostly still, so the motion around them creates contrast rather than confusion. Using a lens like the Canon RF 35mm F1.8 MACRO IS STM can help maintain sharpness at slower speeds, thanks to its built-in Optical Image Stabilisation.

Capture light trails for dynamic effects

Did you know that you can add colourful light streaks to your images by combining a long exposure with camera movement and a burst of flash? This technique keeps your subject sharp while recording motion in the surrounding lights.

Set your shutter speed to about one second, then choose between first-curtain and second-curtain sync in the flash menu of your Canon camera. First-curtain sync fires the flash at the start of the exposure, placing motion blur in front of the subject. Meanwhile, the second-curtain sync fires the flash at the end, which positions light trails behind the subject and creates a more natural sense of movement.

Get the right camera for your party photos

The right Canon camera makes all the difference when capturing every fleeting moment, especially if you’re planning to cover holiday parties and events. Don’t have one yet? Visit one of our retail locations to find the perfect camera and gear for party photography and everyday shooting. We at National Store are an authorised Canon dealer, so you know you’re getting authentic products and reliable customer service. For quick enquiries, you can reach us on WhatsApp at +971 55 300 6031. Be sure to shop early so you can practice these creative shots with a new Canon camera!