It’s almost Christmas time! During the holiday season, you and your loved ones will create memories that will last a lifetime, and all you need is a camera to preserve them. But, the days of simply taking pictures of everyone are long gone–times have changed, and there are many Christmas portrait photography ideas to try.
So, if you need creative photo prompts, props, or a dependable photography studio, look no further! In this piece, experts at Stellar Studios will go over some fun ways to take holiday photos with your loved ones.
Christmas Portrait Photography Ideas
Are you looking for ways to level up your Christmas family photoshoots? Well, you’ve come to the right page! Here are fantastic ways you can capture Christmas moments with family and friends:
1. Play with Christmas colors
Nothing says Christmas more than taking pictures in festive hues! Some standard Christmas colors are red, green, gold, and white. Consider incorporating them into the backdrop for your holiday family photoshoot.
For a traditional one, combine red, green, and gold. Place a red background with green and gold accents to give the background texture. Put accents like ribbons, garlands, pine tree branches, and gold Christmas balls. You can also do this in reverse, selecting one dominant color and using the others as accents. This will keep the color palette from looking too busy on film.
Embrace a white Christmas theme if you’d like to capture the beauty of snow in your pictures. Use white as your primary color and add red, green, and gold accents. Display snowflakes and spread them on fake snow to create a snowy Christmas portrait shoot!
2. Grab a picture by your Christmas tree
Looking for indoor Christmas family photo ideas? A memorable picture by your Christmas tree is the one for you! Christmas trees are the embodiment of the holiday season. Having your family portrait taken by the Christmas tree is a tradition that shouldn’t be broken.
This year, don’t settle for boring photos of the family gathered around the Christmas tree. Spice things up this year with crazy shots of you and your loved ones! Here are some ideas to consider:
- Take photos of your family setting up the Christmas tree with funny outfits.
- While one of you lights the tree, cover your family in Christmas lights, and strike silly poses, creating a festive holiday explosion.
- Portray popular holiday characters in your Christmas family photos, like Christmas angels, elves, Santa Claus, and the grinch.
3. Use Christmas props

Using simple holiday props inspires various creative family photo ideas for Christmas. Making holiday props is easy, and doing so is a fun way to let loose creatively with loved ones. Santa hats, reindeer headbands, candy canes, and Christmas-themed one-liners are just a few examples of the kinds of festive props you can make. Once you’re done, invite your friends and family for a holiday photoshoot! If you want to up the ante, try implementing some of the portrait photoshoot ideas you’ve been learning.
4. Photograph your children opening Christmas presents
Do you remember the happiness of unwrapping a present for the first time when you were a kid? The children’s excitement as they open presents is a precious moment that should be recorded and kept forever. For this indoor Christmas family photo idea, set up a hidden camera to capture your children’s genuine joy as they open gifts. Use photo editing software to add a glowing effect to the presents your children are opening to make them appear magical. This will add character to your portrait photos.
5. Create Christmastime scenes
Take your Christmas cards to the next level and create holiday scenes with your family. You can photograph scenes of your family making Christmas treats, playing in the snow, or just having a good time together. It doesn’t really matter what you’re doing, only that you’re having fun.
A cute idea is to bring your gang together in the kitchen and work on sourdough and gingerbread houses while you don party hats and matching aprons. Want a bit more whimsy? Act out scenes from famous Christmas movies for a fun portrait photography idea!
6. Wear matching Christmas clothes

Matching Christmas clothes will never go out of style! This might be an age-old tradition, but you can still pull together a picture you’ll cherish forever. On Christmas eve, wear matching holiday pajamas as you prepare to open presents with your family. You could also put in extra work and knit sweaters for everyone for Christmas. In case that’s too much, plenty of festive outfits are available on the web.
7. Use fairy lights for a magical Christmas family photoshoot
Using fairy lights for a Christmas photoshoot makes your photos enchanting. You can do many things with fairy lights. Fairy lights add a festive atmosphere without the need for staged poses. Simply embrace one another, form a circle, surround yourselves with fairy lights, and be yourself. The pictures will have a magical and enchanting quality thanks to the lights’ glow and vibrancy.
Are you having a photo shoot with your significant other? You can have a romantic Christmas portrait photoshoot with your special someone by having a backdrop of twinkling lights. The soft glow of the background lights will add a cozy, intimate vibe.
8. Photograph your pets in a Christmas outfit
Pets are family, too, so include them in your Christmas portrait photos! There are many ways to add a touch of the holiday spirit to your pet’s photos. A good idea is to dress them up as Santa or an elf for the holidays.
Not feeling the costume for your pets? Get creative and accessorize them with pet tags and colorful bandanas. This is especially sweet when you can catch your kids and pets playing together in colors that match. To make the most of your many pets in the photo, arrange them in a herd as if they were reindeer pulling a sleigh.
9. Go with a classic Christmas family portrait

Sometimes, the simplest family photo ideas make the best Christmas cards. What matters most is that you get to spend time with your loved ones. Go for a classic family portrait and capture a beautiful traditional family picture. You can even try adding filters to make the photos even more beautiful.
10. Have your Christmas portraits taken at a professional studio
The Yuletide season might be the perfect time to have another family portrait taken at a professional portrait photography studio. Professional photographers can capture stunning photos of you and your family. Plus, you don’t have to worry about organizing everything because the studio can already do it for you. All you have to do is put on your best face and your brightest smile!
To ensure you’ll get the most out of your time, work with a professional like Stellar Studios. Our company specializes in portrait photography, which involves the challenging task of capturing a subject’s essence—looks, personality, and character—all in a single frame. We have professional photographers that can capture any Christmas photoshoot idea you want. Additionally, careful editing will be done to your photos to guarantee that we produce only the best images.
So, whether you want a brand-new family portrait or simply a professional Christmas family photoshoot, we have them all for you.
Capture Priceless Moments This Christmas With Stellar Studios
The holiday season is full of opportunities for creative Christmas photoshoot ideas. Setting up your own holiday family photoshoot doesn’t take too much time and money. All you have to do is be with your family and start capturing precious moments together. Whatever piques your interest, get out there and make memories that will never fade.
Interested in having your Christmas family photo taken at our studio? Please contact us at any time to discuss how we can bring your ideas to life!