How to Take a Great Holiday Family Photo

Finding the right photographer for your family can take some time, so it’s a good idea to begin your search early. Take into consideration your budget and how many edited images the sitting includes. You’ll also want to look at the photographer’s portfolio to help determine whether or not their style complements the aesthetic you’re trying to achieve. If possible, schedule a meeting between your family and the photographer before the sitting. This can help break the ice so that everyone is relaxed and comfortable on the day of your shoot.

What to look for in a family photographer
Mom and social media influencer, Tiffany Brown has plenty of experience when it comes to having professional portraits taken. “Hire a photographer who has experience with photographing families. In other words, one who has plenty of patience,” she told Mom.com. Also, having a photographer who can help with posing ideas is a plus, the mom of three told us. “And ask for feedback if you find clients who have worked with them in the past, to make sure they are a good fit for what you’re looking for,” she advised.

Brown also suggests making sure everyone is comfortable before the photo session. “Length of time and location is very important. If you have small kids, be sure that they are well-rested and have had something to eat. Also, pack snacks to bribe them if they start to get antsy,” she told us.

Note: If you are scheduling a session with a photographer during COVID, make sure to follow your state and county rules for gatherings, as outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and make sure your photographer is following proper safety protocols.

Have a photo shoot theme in mind
It’s easy to get overwhelmed while scrolling through Instagram for family holiday photo ideas. They all look fantastic, and you will want to re-create each one, but you’ll overwhelm yourself, your family, and especially your photographer if you try to incorporate everything you fell in love with online.

Choose a theme or color scheme, and then let the photo shoot happen naturally. Often the best captures are the spontaneous ones you don’t plan. Letting your family’s true personalities and relationships come through will yield the best, most organic images that you’ll treasure for years to come. Keep it simple — create a list of your top three must-have shots or props and let the rest come naturally.

Where to take family photos
Once you’ve determined what type of holiday photo you’d like to have, your next step is choosing a location that complements that theme. You may already have the perfect spot in mind, but if not, your photographer may be able to offer some suggestions.

Kendra Darr encourages families not to overthink it. “Sometimes the perfect holiday photo spot is in your own neighborhood! When we were looking for a spot for some family photos, we found the perfect little patch of grass and trees on the walking trail behind our house,” she told Mom.com.

What to wear for your holiday family photo shoot
Choosing outfits for the family can feel like the most difficult part of planning a great holiday family photo session. For ease and comfort, it’s best to keep things simple.

“Wear an outfit that feels good and don’t overthink it,” Jill Marzion, a family photographer located in Milwaukee, wrote for Mpix. “This may seem obvious, but I often have kids tucking in a shirt, or parents looking stiff because it isn’t their everyday clothing. Avoid big logos and bulky tennis shoes — they are distracting and take your eye away from the people in your photos.”

Tiffany Brown told Mom.com that she likes to dress her family in complementary colors. “This year’s theme for my family will be cream, navy, and gold. Another great option is black and white, blue and green or even red, white, and black,” she explained. “We always pick a color theme weeks before our shoot. This allows time to get everyone’s outfits in order and ready to go.”

Sometimes it’s fun to let your personality shine through your holiday photos. You can get creative with out-of-the-box holiday family photo ideas that showcase what makes your family unique. When my own children were younger, I considered making up their faces KISS-rock-band style. The idea was to use it as the front cover of a Christmas card with the caption “Merry KISSmas.” While that DIY family photo never materialized for us, I’m not opposed to actually using the idea sometime soon.

Don’t feel like you need a lot of fancy gear — you can get a great photo of your kids, or the whole family, just by using your phone. Get creative with some holiday lights and catch a spontaneous moment, or set up a DIY studio of your own. Rachael Ray has some helpful tips for capturing family photos just using your smartphone.

Other DIY family photos like candid shots from a family vacation or celebration would make a great holiday family photo. You can then simply use an online site like Minted or Shutterfly to send out your DIY holiday cards to friends and family across the globe.