All I want for Christmas is…the perfect shot for Instagram!

• Over half of Brits will take an average of six shots before getting that perfect picture this Christmas, according to research by Sony for Xperia 5, the latest addition to its smartphone flagship series
• This is despite 87% actively trying to reduce their screen time for the big day
• Xperia 5 has partnered with renowned food photographer David Loftus to share top tips that will help you get that perfect shot first-time 

Snap-happy Brits will be perfecting their social media content this festive season, with 51% needing an average of six takes before sharing the picture-perfect shot on the likes of Instagram, according to new research by Sony. Topping the list of favourite shots is family and friends (51%), a group shot around the dinner table (25%) and of course, our furry four-legged friends (24%).

However, the age-old plea to ‘put your phone away at the dinner table’ will come into force on Christmas day, with 87% saying they will actively try to reduce screen time for the festive celebrations. While capturing those special moments is of course important to look back on in years to come, 61% of Brits will be attempting to reduce screen time around the table so they can prioritise time with family, while 33% will do so due to their irritation at others using their phones during special occasions.

To help minimise the amount of shots needed before achieving one that’s Insta-worthy – and to help Brits maximise family time this Christmas – Sony has worked with Award-winning and internationally acclaimed photographer David Loftus to create five top tips to help achieve the best photos during the festive period.

Having shot photography for the books of Jamie Oliver and Rachel Khoo, as well as editorials for Red and Conde Nast Traveller, his stripped-back, fuss free style of photography is perfectly matched to the shooting capabilities of the Xperia 5, which takes advanced technologies from Sony's Alpha™ cameras and puts them is the palm of your hand.

GET YOUR FESTIVE SHOT IN ONE, WITH TOP TIPS FROM RENOWNED PHOTOGRAPHER DAVID LOFTUS:

1. SILENT LIGHT

• Shoot your Christmas dinner near a window. Allow as much natural light as possible to ensure the details are captured. However, when shooting in low light, be sure to keep the camera as steady as possible, using a vase or bottle as a quick and effective tripod

2. PROPS FOR SHOTS

• As many as 64% of millennials claim they will be adding some decorative additions to the table to ensure the most social media worthy shots including sequins, velvet ribbons & Christmas figurines. Try using props as reflectors or diffusers, such as white napkins, books, or greaseproof paper from the kitchen drawer, to diffuse harsh lighting or create interesting shapes and shadows on the table

3. THE LAW OF THIRDS

• Use the law of thirds to frame your shot; position the subject so that it fills approximately 1/3 of the image, allowing for 2/3 of negative space. This create a much more interesting composition, ensuring the eye is naturally drawn to the detail. The Xperia 5 has a built-in option which brings gridlines up on your screen, to make taking a perfectly proportioned shot as easy as possible

4. PLAY AROUND WITH BOKEH (AND OTHER EFFECTS)

• Play around with features such as ‘bokeh’ which really help to elevate your subject matter, focusing the viewer’s attention on the thing you want to stand out the most, helping to produce stunning, professional-standard photography using your smartphone

5. KEEP IT REAL

• When uploading shots onto social media channels, don’t over edit. Keep the images authentic and avoid using too many filters to ‘hide’ how the food really looks

Xperia 5 is the perfect smartphone for capturing the best photos for social media this Christmas. Featuring a triple lens camera with critically acclaimed Eye AF technology from Sony’s Alpha cameras, with Xperia 5 you’ll be ready for any occasion, whether you’re trying to picture a moving subject with precision focus, are taking images in a low-light environment or need a super wide-angle shot to fit your whole family in.

Taking Sony’s industry-leading technologies from Xperia 1 and presenting them in a compact, more pocket-friendly smartphone design, Xperia 5 provides the same uncompromised levels of performance and quality of experience only possible with Sony, including a 3140mAh battery to help keep you going all day during the busy Christmas period.

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