Top 10 Christmas Photoshoot Ideas

Top 10 Christmas Photoshoot Ideas

Who doesn’t LOVE a great Christmas card designed around a fun and festive family photo? 

While there is no right or wrong way to take a Christmas picture, sometimes we all need a little help to come up with that perfect idea for a holiday photoshoot.

To keep things simple, I’ve created a handy mix-and-match Christmas picture idea list.  These holiday elements can be combined and will work together to help you take a dazzling Christmas photo!

Let’s start with location ideas since that’s often the element that takes the most planning.  After that, we will let our imaginations run wild!

1. Christmas Tree Farm

Taking photos at a Christmas tree farm is super popular for obvious reasons.  Just make sure you contact them ahead of time to ask permission to shoot there.  If they need a little extra convincing, you could tell the owners you will offer a small discount on the session or products if the clients buy a tree while they are there.

Image by Jessica Foreman of Jess Foreman Photography

2. At the Client’s House

The best Christmas photos give off a cozy feeling.  What’s more comfortable than hanging out with your family at home?  Some location ideas within the home might be in front of the tree, cuddled by the fireplace, or piled in a big bed with lots of pillows.  You could even take candid lifestyle photos of your clients baking cookies or wrapping gifts.

Image by Perla Salazar of P.S. Capturing Love Photography

3. Vintage Vehicle

There’s something enjoyable about jumping in the back of an old pickup truck or posing in front of a cute camper.  It may not scream “Christmas,” but stage it with some holiday décor from the list below, and you will have a real winner!

Image by Summer Bryant of Summer Nicole Photography

4. Christmas Tree Lot

A Christmas tree lot is different from a tree farm because the trees will already be cut.  It’s usually tighter quarters, and you will need permission to shoot there, but if you do it right, the images can be absolutely gorgeous!  Imagine a tree lot at night with string lights hung overhead.  If you need a spot for a mini-session, this could be THE PERFECT LOCATION.

5. Snowman

If you are lucky enough to have enough snow in December, consider taking photos in front of a dressed-up snowman.  If your clients want this shot, they can build their own, or if the weather is just perfect, build a snowman yourself and offer holiday mini-sessions to multiple clients before it melts.

6. Other Locations

Of course, the list above isn’t all-inclusive.  Christmas pictures can be taken almost anywhere, especially if you bring your own holiday props.

Image by Tammy Porter of The Porters Wife

7. Christmas Photo Props

While not completely necessary, holiday-themed props can add the perfect touch to Christmas photos, especially when there isn’t any snow.  You don’t need to go overboard – sometimes, just a couple of items can go a long way.

Image by Tammy Porter of The Porters Wife

Here is an excellent list of props to choose from for ANY Christmas photoshoot:

• Garland
• Furniture – a chair, couch, or daybed
• Cozy blanket
• Christmas lights
• Mistletoe
• Vintage ladder
• Presents (empty, of course!)
• Wagon
• Mugs of hot chocolate
• Fake snow
• Small Christmas tree
• Ribbon
• Evergreen wreath

You also may want to chat with your client beforehand to see if they have any special items or traditions you can incorporate into your Christmas shoot.

8. Christmas Outfit Ideas

This is where your client’s input is super important.  If they dreamed of a lovely Christmas photo where their family is all dressed up, you wouldn’t want to suggest they come in pajamas.

Most of the time, the location and overall theme of the shoot will dictate what kind of clothes they should wear.  But with all things, there’s plenty of wiggle room.  There are only a few options here, but it’s an important decision nonetheless.

• Matching pajamas or long underwear
• Dressy clothing
• Casual clothing
• Something else – Christmas story costumes or ugly Christmas sweaters can be a ton of fun!!

Image collaboration by Rebecca from BeckStar Imagery and Kelsey from Katch The Moments

9. Christmas Photo Idea Inspiration

Here are a few examples of holiday photoshoot themes, shot lists, and posing you might use with each.  I’m describing each of these with a family of four in mind, but these ideas can easily be tweaked for a couple, a larger family, or just kids.

• Park a small RV or camper in a spot with evergreens in the background.  Bring a string of lights, a cozy blanket, some empty mugs, and materials needed to start a fire.  Hang the lights on the RV.  The family will wear casual attire and winter hats.  You’ll take some candids of them roasting marshmallows over the fire, then some posed photos of them cuddling together, wrapped in the blanket holding their mugs of hot chocolate.

• Head to the client’s home.  Bring some mistletoe on a long string and some Christmas lights.  The family will wear red and white long underwear.  Hang the mistletoe over the big bed, and wrap the lights around the headboard.  You’ll take some posed photos of the family cuddling together.  After that, you’ll take pictures of them reading a Christmas book, followed by fun candid photos of the kids jumping on the bed and having a pillow fight.

• Go to your local Christmas tree lot after the sun goes down.  Bring a wagon, some fake snow, and an evergreen wreath (they probably sell them there!).  The family will wear warm semi-dressy clothes.  You’ll shoot them in some traditional poses surrounded by trees.  Let one of them hold the wreath down at their side.  If there’s room, get a shot of the adults pulling the kids in the wagon.  If not, you could park it in front of them and fill it with greenery.  Get some fun shots of them blowing fake snow toward the camera, then throwing it up in the air. 

Image by Tammy Porter of The Porters Wife

10. Photo Editing Tip