The holiday season is upon us, which means it's time to start planning for the annual family Christmas photo! Choosing coordinating outfits and coming up with creative concepts for your Christmas card can be daunting. This guide will provide you with tips, ideas, and inspiration to help make your family Christmas photo session stress-free and fun!
Family Christmas photos provide lasting memories and allow you to share holiday cheer with loved ones near and far. With some advance planning and preparation, you can create a polished, professional photo without spending hours posing and clicking the camera.
Here we'll explore some key considerations for your family Christmas photo session including:
- Coordinating your outfits
- Picking concepts and poses
- Choosing locations
- Preparing little ones
- Getting great expressions
- Editing your photos
Follow these tips and you'll end up with a festive, frame-worthy photo you can cherish for years to come!
Coordinating Outfits
One of the most important aspects of a family Christmas photo is choosing the right outfits. You want your clothes to complement each other without being too matchy-matchy.
- Opt for festive colors: Red, green, gold, silver, and white are perfect for Christmas. You can wear one color or do a color combination.
- Pick comfortable ensembles: Choose outfits you can move and pose in without discomfort. Avoid stiff fabrics and oversized accessories.
- Include Christmas accents: Have family members wear Santa hats, reindeer antlers, or other festive accessories to give the photo a holiday vibe.
- Dress kids thoughtfully: Make sure little ones' outfits aren't too scratchy or delicate so they can play comfortably during the shoot.
Some popular Christmas photo outfit ideas include:
- Matching pajamas: Capture "Christmas morning" with the whole family in matching red or plaid PJs.
- Ugly Christmas sweaters: Lean into the silly side of the holidays with intentionally tacky sweaters.
- Festive flannels: Red and black buffalo check is a timeless look. Pair with jeans and Santa hats.
- Dressy ensembles: For a classy look, wear color-coordinated dressy attire like all black or wintery pastels.
No matter what you wear, make sure everyone feels comfortable, confident, and full of holiday spirit!
Choosing Concepts and Poses
Once you've picked your outfits, it's time to decide on the overall theme and poses for your Christmas photo. This will help capture the right mood and personality of your family. Here are some fun concepts to consider:
Christmas Card Photo Ideas
- Decorating the tree together
- Building snowmen in the yard
- Displaying matching stockings above the fireplace
- Opening gifts Christmas morning
- Stringing popcorn and cranberries
- Ice skating or sledding together
Creative Poses
- Sitting on Santa's lap
- Toasting with hot cocoa
- Playing board games
- Decorating gingerbread houses
- Group jumping shot
- Piling into a horse-drawn sleigh
When choosing poses, make sure they reflect your family's dynamic and style. Improvise, get silly, and don't be afraid to try wacky new ideas! The goal is to show off your family's joy and connection.
Picking Locations
The setting of your Christmas photo contributes greatly to its look and feel. When selecting a location, consider the following:
Indoors vs. Outdoors - Both indoor and outdoor settings have their perks. Outdoors you get natural light and seasonal backdrops like snow or evergreens. Indoors you avoid weather worries and can easily incorporate Christmas decor.
Public Spaces - Check out locations like parks, gardens, and neighborhoods with ornate light displays. Make sure photography is allowed.
At Home - Your own home provides familiarity and allows you to decorate just for photos. Make sure the space is tidy and room is well-lit.
Christmassy Backdrops - Seek out holiday scenery like markets, tree lots, or neighborhoods decked out in lights. Lean into the Christmas spirit!
Preparing Little Ones
If young children are part of your Christmas photo, take steps to ensure they enjoy the experience:
- Schedule it during naptime: Time the shoot when they are well-rested and fed to minimize fussiness.
- Bring snacks and small toys: Have treats and activities in case of restlessness during long sessions.
- Practice poses: Teach them the poses you want beforehand so they know what to expect.
- Keep it short: Limit the overall shoot time based on their ages and temperaments. Get the key shots you need quickly.
- Stay playful: Maintain a lighthearted mood and let them dance and move between more structured poses.
- Give frequent breaks: Let kids run around and burn energy between setups.
The more engaged little ones are, the better they'll behave for photos.
Getting Great Expressions
Beyond the outfits, poses, and location, the secret ingredient for a stellar family Christmas photo is emotion. Capture genuine smiles, laughter, and joy to show off your family dynamic at its best.
- Crack jokes: Get everyone giggling by sharing funny stories and using silly props.
- Play games: Get everyone moving and loose through dancing, jumping, or acting out scenarios from a hat.
- Share memories: Reminisce about meaningful moments and holiday traditions to stir up nostalgia and smiles.
- Offer direction: Coach family members on conveying emotions like excitement, affection, or holiday spirit.
- Take candid shots: In addition to posed images, capture lots of natural interactions and expressions.
Let your family's authentic personality and glee shine through!
Editing Your Photos
After your Christmas photo shoot, you'll want to edit your favorite snaps to look their best. Here are some quick tips for editing:
- Adjust lighting, temperature, and clarity
- Crop and straighten to emphasize subjects
- Remove any distracting background elements
- Enhance eyes and smiles
- Play with festive filters and borders
- Add text like your family name or "Happy Holidays!"
Edit thoughtfully to highlight the joy and connection you captured on camera. This ensures your Christmas photo can be proudly displayed and shared for holidays to come!
5 Tips for a Stress-Free Family Christmas Photo Shoot
- Schedule it early: Book your session at least 2-3 weeks before Christmas. Trying to squeeze it in last minute adds unnecessary stress.
- Scout locations: Decide on 1-2 location options and get permission in advance. Have backups in mind in case of bad weather.
- Assign a coordinator: Have one family member spearhead planning so it doesn't fall on just one parent's shoulders.
- Share mood boards: Create a Pinterest board with outfit ideas, poses, and decor inspiration to align everyone's expectations.
- Keep it lightweight: Only bring key props and outfits you need so you aren't bogged down by heavy gear and costume changes.
Conclusion
Creating an amazing family Christmas photo requires thoughtfulness, patience, and a spirit of fun. By coordinating festive outfits, choosing meaningful poses and backdrops, preparing the kids, and drawing out real emotion and joy, you're sure to have a photo session to remember fondly.
Gather your family and get ready to capture the special connections and customs that make your holiday celebrations uniquely yours. Smile big, get a little silly, and enjoy creating something you'll all treasure for many Christmases to come.
