Family Christmas Photoshoot

A Family Christmas Photoshoot can mean coordinating outfits or getting creative on Christmas Card Photo Ideas!  Learn all of this plus more!   

Family Christmas Photoshoot

  

Hi everyone! Hannah Harrison here, owner and operator of Hannah Harrison Photography in Lenoir, NC. I’m a Christian, wife (hubby is a firefighter so we have crazy schedules, but fire wife life is awesome) , and mom to an adorable three year old. Life around my house is a little bit crazy most days, but we wouldn’t have it any other way. I’ve always loved photography and I was fortunate enough to make it into a part time career a few years ago. I was lucky to have a friend mentor me and helped me form my art into what it is today.

I offer christmas photoshoot sessions and I have moms ask me quite often about What to Wear for family sessions when it comes to these shoots, so I’d like to give you all a few tips and tricks to get the most out of your sessions.

Christmas Portraits

 

● Know what your photographers set up looks like. This is the best place to start that way you can get your own idea of what outfits and colors you want to go with. We, as photographers, are always open to helping clients with outfit choices, but you are ultimately the one who knows what is in your closet. Who knows the photographer could have an adorable bed in a Christmas tree farm and family Christmas pajamas might just be the perfect outifts!  

● Coordinating Family Christmas Outfits- Pick a color palette and have everyone choose their outfits from within those colors. I don’t recommend doing matching family Christmas outfits because they tend to look very staged and distract from the real beauty in the photo – you and your family.  Also, if you do want to use a pattern stick to using it minimally or one person wearing a pattern while others are in solids.

● Textures – I love seeing clients in different fabrics, lace, velvet, fur, anything really can add a small element that makes a big impact.

● Dress for the time of year – I live in the south so we can have all four seasons in one week. During Christmas pictures try to keep bundled up without looking like it and bring blankets if your little ones have a tendency to stay cold.

● Accessories – Make good use of adorable accessories i.e. suspenders and bow ties are always adorable!

● Timing – Try to schedule a time slot you know your little ones will be happy and willing to have their picture taken. Try to stay away from nap times if you can, if not bring cookies, candy, anything they like to bribe them into giving us a smile. I’m not above bribery in order to get pictures of your sweet kiddos smiling.

● Have fun! – Interact with your family and let your photographer capture those sweet memories so you will have them for years to come.

When Should You Take Christmas Pictures?

As we know the Christmas season is short and if you are wanting to get family Christmas pictures made in time for Christmas cards then your timing is very important!  I always suggest starting with your timeline from the end and work yourself backwards.

So for instance I set my date for when I want to mail my Christmas cards, then I set a date for when I need the Christmas cards to arrive so I have time to address and stuff the envelopes.  The next date I’d figure out is how long it takes from ordering Christmas cards to them arriving at my door step.  Then you’ll want to know from your photographer how long it takes to get your Family Christmas pictures returned so you can make your choices and order cards.  

Get your calendar out and do some planning and math…this will help you on your timing of when to take Christmas photos. 

Where Can I Take Christmas Pictures? 

Maybe you are attempting to take your own family photos… or maybe you are looking for some creative family pictures and are working with a professional photographer on a location…here are some unique and fun ideas of places to consider taking Christmas pictures.

Tree Farm
Rustic Barn or Location
Woodsy Wonderland
Touch of Green
Christmas Wreaths
Snow
Campfire
Ski Lift
Indoors by the Cozy Fireplace
Decorated Christmas Tree
Old Farm Truck

If you made it this far, thank you for taking the time to read through some of the tips and tricks for Family Christmas Pictures I have learned over the last few years. These tips have helped my clients receive photos they truly enjoy because photos are the tangible evidence of memories you took time to create.