1.    You don't have to wait for the big day to start taking holiday pictures. The holidays are about the preparations, too - starting with baby’s first holiday shopping trip. Get a picture of your little one at the mall, surrounded by goodies and taking it all in.  

2.    If you haven't picked out your tree yet, make sure to bring your camera when you go! When else are you going to have a whole lot of evergreen as your backdrop?

3.    Even if your child is too brand new to know who the guy with the big beard and the red hat is, a picture of Baby on Santa’s lap is too good to pass up. Of course if your little one's stranger-shy, this may be a shot of Baby screaming on Santa's lap, but you'll appreciate that picture in a couple of years.

4.    Use decorated store windows as a backdrop for your family photos. If the kids can stay relatively still for a few seconds, turn off the flash, prop your camera on a steady surface and select a long exposure for best effect.

5.    Get a picture of the greatest present of all! Prop your baby up or lie her down on pillows under the tree, along with the other gifts, crouch down to her eye level and take your picture.

6.    Shiny ornaments are sure to capture Baby’s attention. Make sure you capture a close-up portrait of her gazing in wonder at the ornaments on the tree.

7.    Get a shot of the children's stockings after they've hung them on Christmas eve. 

8.    Christmas morning is a moment to remember, so take plenty of pictures of the kids while they're opening their presents.

9.    If you are celebrating Hanukkah, make sure to catch a picture of the baby with the menorah - lit by that soft candlelight.

10.    Don't be surprised if your baby's favorite holiday gifts are the wrappings and boxes that are strewn around after everyone's opened their presents. Instead of trying to convince him to play with his new shape sorter, take a series of pictures of your little one frolicking in the paper wreckage.

11.    Group shots are essential to telling your holiday story: Pick a time when as many aunts, uncles, grandparents and pets can sit in on the picture, and ask a friend or neighbor to stop by and take a big picture of you all, or use your camera's self-timer.

12.    Don't forget to take pictures of your family out in front of your house, with your outdoor decorations as a backdrop. Take a wide shot of everyone and close-ups, too. To capture the lights in all their glory, turn off the flash, rest the camera on a sturdy surface and set to a long exposure.

13.    It's easy to forget those Christmas dinner pictures - you're busy, after all! But take a moment before everyone has started eating to shoot a picture of the food on the table and any special decorations you've prepared.

14.    Keep the camera near the table during dinner and invite friends and family to take candid pictures of everybody in action - especially Baby. 

15.    Nothing captures the holiday season more than your little one outside in freshly fallen snow. Try shooting in black and white for a beautiful effect.