How to Take the Best Holiday Card Photos
It’s holiday and Christmas card season! And you want photos that feel like you, capture your kids as their quirky selves, make you and your partner feel and look good, and don’t look run-of-the-mill.
As a family and newborn photographer in Orange County, this is my thing-- photos where you truly shine that will turn into instant heirlooms.
And I have opinions on holiday cards. I feel like it’s my job as the person who provides photos for families all across Orange County to drag and drop into their holiday card templates.
Here’s what I think makes a memorable holiday card photo (plus, at the end-- when to book your photographer!).
What Makes a Truly Fantastic Holiday Card Photo Experience
As you prep for yet another year of holiday cards and hunt for the right photographer, keep these things in mind for what makes for a memorable photo session.
You Should Be In It!
As moms we have tons of photos of our kids’ core memories, but not a lot of proof that we were there. Think of your photo session as your gift to self. This is proof that you did this whole motherhood thing-- proof of your life right now, as it is, in all its beauty.
Kids Get to Be Their Wacky Selves
The best photos are the ones where your kids are being true to themselves-- getting messy, playing with their favorite toys, and putting all their magical quirks on display.
Part of kids being their wacky selves includes wearing whatever outfit they want! It’s so charming and cute to see a photo of a child in an outfit they clearly chose themselves.
But trust me, I know this can be hard. My daughter begged to wear her Rams jersey to the first day of school this year. I made her change into an outfit I liked, she cried, and I felt so guilty for not allowing her to be herself 😭 that I had her change back. She was absolutely giddy and glowing in her blue and yellow jersey that had nothing to do with my aesthetic.
With that said, choose a photographer with experience helping kids come out of their shell, and confidence handling potential meltdowns. When you’ve been around the block as a family photographer 🙋🏻♀️, nothing phases you, and it’s easy to help families settle into themselves during a photo session.
You Look Like You
I love seeing holiday card photos where families are laughing, playing, and interacting, not just stiffly standing next to each other. A lifestyle family photographer will capture your family unposed, doing your thing, and being yourselves.
Digging through your phone for a family photo isn’t the move here. My guess is the photo doesn’t feel like the essence of who you are. Not the vibe for the holiday card!
You’re Wearing Non-Themed Clothes
Call me a Scrooge but...my advice would be to not have the outfits be holiday themed so that the photos can feel applicable all throughout the year. If you’re not wearing holiday attire, it feels better when you see these photos throughout the year on your wall, framed as gifts to grandparents, and in an album on the coffee table.
I've had people say that my holiday photo card is the only card they keep on their fridge all year because I intentionally don't make it holiday themed. Pretty proud of that, not gonna lie.
On the outfit note, wear what you love-- don’t feel like you need to buy a new dress and coordinating clothes for your partner and kids. What to wear for a family photo shoot can feel stressful! So lean in to this mantra: “What makes me feel most like myself these days? What clothes bring me joy?”
Here’s what 10 of my clients wore to their photoshoot if you need inspiration!
Each Kid Shines
Multi-photo holiday cards are so fun to show every member of the family’s personality: it’s so sweet to track their evolution year over year. I have families that bring me back once a year to take their photos, and I always make sure to capture individual photos of each kid. They’re ready-made to drop into a holiday card template so everyone can have their moment.
You’re In Your Everyday SpacE
You know for a fact you’ll be getting dozens of beach portrait holiday cards this year. This is Orange County, the people love Laguna Beach!
But doing your photos in your home will result in photos that celebrate your unique family culture. There’s something about seeing your stuff, your furniture, your art, and your pets in the background that makes a photo feel like an heirloom rather than a forced routine.
I love both the undone reality of photos inside a home and the beautiful memory we’re capturing-- you’ll always have photos of the home where you raised your kids in this season, right now.
When to Book a Christmas Card Photographer
September to October is the best time to book your holiday card family photo session. The photographer will have enough time to get the photos turned around, but it won’t be so early that your baby will have tripled in size by Christmas.
November is fine in a pinch, but it’s really tight for the photographer’s turnaround and for print deadlines. Don’t have your box of cards arriving in late January because you ordered too late-- let’s get it done!
Capture the Essence of Your Family
The holidays are the busiest time for family photographers, so calendars fill up quickly. And I know that your schedule is also probably swamped for the holidays.
As a family, newborn, and maternity photographer in Orange County, yes, I will give you a fantastic portrait for your card-- but I will also give you relaxed, unposed, artful photos that will last far beyond the holiday season.