Holiday cards are a great way to spread good cheer and let your friends and loved ones know that you are thinking of them this season. However, it should go without saying that these cards do not have to be limited to the traditional holiday photos you often take with your family during this time of year. This is a yearly tradition for most families, so using the same types of photos can get pretty boring.
If you’re looking to spice up your next holiday card, we’ll help you add that personal touch with our creative and helpful card ideas.
But first, we’ll offer you a few helpful tips to help you improve your holiday card photo.
Tips for Creating the Perfect Holiday Card Photo
1. Consider Hiring a Photographer
Having a professional photographer shoot your family holiday photo will always yield better results than if you just did it yourself—unless you are already adept with a camera, of course.
Either way, consider hiring a professional photographer, because having someone else behind the camera takes some of the stress and pressure off of you and your family on the day of the shoot. After all, doing it yourself means you will be in charge of everything—from the camera settings to how your family should pose in any given setting. You will also need to gather the necessary gear, such as a tripod and possibly even some lighting equipment.
2. Plan the Shoot
Work out the logistics of your shoot—the theme, the things you’ll need, the outfits you’ll be wearing, the decorations and props, where you plan to have the shoot, what time you have to start shooting, and other necessary details that will help ensure an easy and productive photo shoot. For more ideas, you can turn to Pinterest for inspiration.
If you won’t be hiring a professional photographer, don’t forget to prepare the gear you will use to take photos. This should include your camera, a tripod, extra batteries (that are fully charged, of course) and memory cards. In some cases, depending on the location of your photo shoot and the time of day you plan to do it, you may also need an external flash or another external light source.
3. Choose a Good Location
Before choosing the perfect spot for your shoot, consider how it will look in the frame. That said, your final shoot location should not only be aesthetically pleasing but also have good lighting conditions, so that you won’t have to bring additional lighting equipment.
For indoor shoots, find the best spot that allows for plenty of natural lighting. And if shooting outdoors, choose the right time of day to ensure the most flattering light for your photos.
Your venue should also be spacious enough to accommodate the number of people who will be in the picture, as well as the photographer and his gear.
4. Prepare for the Shoot
Don’t forget to ask members of your family to do everything they need to do to prepare for the shoot. Everyone’s outfits should be ready at least one day prior, and decide on other details such as hair and makeup so that you won’t be rushing around on the day itself.
Also, ensure that everyone is well-rested for the day of the shoot.
5. Edit Your Photos
If you’re hiring a photographer, he or she will probably take care of this part for you. But if not, then you may want to do a little retouching here and there so that everyone looks their best—edit out some glaring blemishes, or maybe smoothen the skin a bit. This isn’t a requirement, of course, but since you’ll be sending this out to everyone you know, it’s probably a good idea to do some minor touch-ups.
In some cases, you may also want to do some basic photo editing as well. You can make some exposure and color adjustments, crop for a tighter composition, add filters or color effects, and more.
6. Determine the Feel of the Photos
Many families want nothing more than great photographs of them all together to share at the holidays. Others may prefer a specific feel: adventurous, engaged in something they love, full of laughter – or more quiet and peaceful. Having a conversation upfront about what kind of feel would be most preferred can help you capture a theme that works best for holiday cards.
7. Choose a Card Style
If you know you want a full-bleed image across the front of a vertical card and that’s all you are going for, it becomes much easier to just capture that one fantastic vertical image. If you’re going for a montage of images in various orientations, it certainly helps to shoot with that in mind, as well. And knowing that there will be text across a part of the image in advance allows you to frame photographs so that there is ample open space in the image for text to not cut into the “people part” of the photograph. The bottom line? Know what you’re shooting for out there.
Fun and Creative Family Holiday Card Ideas
Holiday cards aren’t that difficult to produce, but there’s always going to be that dilemma of how you’re going to make it look as creative as the last. While it’s best to always add a personal touch to your holiday cards, these timeless theme and composition ideas will help give you the inspiration you need for possibly your best card ever.
1. Play with Snow
When captured artfully and under just the right lighting, a photo of you and your family posing in and playing with the snow can give off a magical feel. Small particles of snow often appear like confetti in photos, making it a good element that will add a festive appeal to your images. Just keep in mind that proper timing is crucial when capturing movement.
You can also try getting your family to lie in the snow. Standing can sometimes make you look stiff and posed. Lying with your torso down to the ground also allows you to include some snow in the foreground and add depth to your photo.
2. Wear Your Ugliest “Ugly Sweater”
For kicks, why not have your family dress up in those hideous holiday sweaters for your photo? After all, nothing makes it feel more like the holidays than donning these infamous seasonal wardrobe staples. It’s the perfect time (or excuse) to finally take them out of the closet—and not just so you can show them off to the elderly aunt or grandparent who knitted them.
Not only will it be season-appropriate, but it’s guaranteed to give your recipients a good laugh.
3. Show Off Those Holiday Socks
If you’re camera shy or just want to veer away from the usual family photos that feature actual faces, try capturing your feet (while wearing festive socks) instead. The different foot sizes should be enough to suggest who’s included in the photo, especially when there are kids in the family. Choose different but complementing designs, patterns, and textures to add interest to your image.
Make sure you choose a good background as well, and maybe add props to improve your composition.
4. Decorate the Tree
For most families, decorating the tree together has become a treasured tradition. If this sounds like you and your family, it may be a good idea to capture this sweet, picture-perfect holiday moment for your yearly card—it’s sure to make the card all the more meaningful.
If you can, plan how the hands should be positioned in the shot. As with everything in photography, observe proper timing and be prepared to click the shutter at the right moment.
5. Use Holiday Lights
Adding holiday lights as decor or props gives a nice splash of color to the photo, aside from making it look playful and festive. Whether used as a backdrop or possibly even held and wrapped around the subjects’ body, these lights can help set the mood and add warmth to the scene.
Capture this scene in a room with other holiday decor, like the tree, to improve your composition and complete your image.
6. Include Your Beloved Pets
Pets are part of the family, so don’t hesitate to include them in the photo. However, it’s important to remember that posing with pets can be just as time-consuming and challenging as posing with small children, so make sure your pets are trained or at least find ways to make them behave and pose for the photos.
Or if possible, get a professional photographer who knows how to work with animals.
7. Pose with Presents
For most, the holidays are all about the presents! Pose with the gifts under the tree and include your children in the fun. Place them around you, hold them in your hands or on your lap, or pretend to open them by tugging at the ribbons.
Ask the kids to act surprised or give them real presents they can open during the shoot to capture some real action.
8. Dress the Kids in Holiday-Themed Outfits
Dress your kids in fun holiday-themed costumes, like Santa’s little helpers, and allow them to represent your family by being the main subjects of your card. Aside from instantly making your photos look adorable for your loved ones to gush over, it can be a good way for you to document their growth every year. It may even be fun for your kids to recreate when they’re all grown up!
9. Santa Baby
If you have a baby in the family, now’s your chance to make him or her the star of your holiday card photo. Dress your baby up in a Santa Claus costume and have a parent or sibling hold him or her up. Also try coordinating everyone else’s outfits to make the photo look more holiday-ish, and make sure the elements in the background support your composition.
But there’s no real need to work too hard on those as your baby will surely be stealing the spotlight!
10. Silly Costumes
At least for this year, consider putting on silly costumes for your holiday card photo. The more people who agree to do it, the more fun the shoot will be! You don’t have to don complete outfits—even just props and hats would do. Don’t be afraid to get all goofy and remember to take a lot of pictures as some of the funniest moments can take place when you least expect them. The resulting images should give you and your recipients a good laugh, even after many years later.
11. Use Sparklers
Sparklers are not just for the Fourth of July or New Year’s Eve. These can actually be used as props for any holiday event, which means you can use them to add some magic and extra sparkle to your photos. Have every member of the family hold one, but make sure to supervise younger children. Take proper precautions to ensure the safety of your home and your family.
Don’t forget to include your decorations in the photos to mark the distinction of the holiday.
12. Light and Warmth
Fireplaces symbolize warmth, particularly during the winter months. It’s no wonder most people associate it with the holiday season. Consider featuring it in your photo and allow your camera to capture the fire’s warm, yellow tones on your family’s faces and around the room. Combine this element with the proper emotions, posing, and composition, and you’ve got a winning family holiday card photo.
13. Go for a Different Perspective
Instead of leveling the camera, why not take your photo from a different angle? Shoot above or below eye level, or even from the top while you lay down on the floor. It may be challenging to do this if you don’t have a photographer and may resort to using a drone camera or some other complicated camera setup, but this will definitely add interest and variety to your holiday card photo.
14. Capture Candid Moments
If you’re the type who feels awkward when posing in front of the camera, then just let your camera capture candid moments that occur during the shoot. Laugh, joke around, and interact with your family. This also works well for families with young children who are difficult to instruct when it comes to posing. By choosing to go the candid route, you’re more likely to end up with adorable photos that authentically capture your family dynamic.
15. Dashing Through the Snow
Holidays are also about the fun winter activities, like skiing and sledding. If you have the gear for these activities stored in your garage, you can use them as props for your photo. It doesn’t really matter if you choose to simply pose with them or pretend to use them—they will instantly make the photo appear more vibrant and engaging.
16. Magical Box
Another family holiday card idea that gives off a magical feel is the “magical box.” It’s those open gift boxes in photos that emit a glowing light from inside. Of course, gifts don’t normally do that—this is achieved by placing a hidden light source inside the box. It’s super easy, and it makes for a great-looking family holiday photo that shows expressions of delight and wonder.
Should you decide to try this out, practice your expressions beforehand and try to make them look as authentic as possible to keep your photo from looking fake or forced.
17. Frame Yourselves
This compositional technique, which is called sub-framing, entails the use of a frame—whether manmade or natural—to help highlight the main subject of the photo by directing the viewer’s gaze. You can keep it simple by taking a large frame and holding it up around your faces, or you can use outdoor elements like trees and structures.
If you do decide to go with an actual frame, make sure to choose one that goes well with the rest of the elements within the photo—like your theme, outfits, decorations, and other props—so that it doesn’t end up becoming a distraction in the photo.
18. Showcase Family Traditions
Aside from tree decorating, most families usually have time-honored holiday traditions that they look forward to every year. If your family has some, consider making them the focus of your family holiday card photo. Whether it’s baking cookies together or making a snowman in the backyard, go ahead and recreate them (but in a more presentable way) for your shoot. This allows you to effectively connect with the recipients of your card, as it gives them a good glimpse of your family’s traditions. At the same time, you’re giving your own holiday card the personal touch that it needs.
19. Go Formal
If you and your family like dressing up, you can take advantage of this occasion and dress as elegantly as you want for your holiday card. Think ball gowns, tuxedos, and other types of formal wear.
Also, don’t forget to decorate the photo shoot venue in a way that complements your outfits (while still making the scene look festive, of course).
20. Shoot at an Unconventional Location
If you’re the type who likes going against the tide or you simply want to do something different for your holiday card, you may opt to have your photo shoot at an unconventional location. You can choose any location you want—the beach, a bowling alley, or anywhere that won’t give you the usual living-room-with-a-holiday-tree backdrop.
Just don’t forget to include holiday elements, like Santa hats or red-colored outfits, to make the photo appropriate for the season.
21. Follow a Color Scheme
Obviously, there’s no strict rule for the color scheme. In fact, many have been going against the usual red, white, and green colors when picking outfits for their holiday cards. Still, following a particular color scheme can add harmony and cohesion to your family photo.
You don’t have to wear matching outfits, but try to choose a single color that all your outfits must have, and make that color prevalent throughout all the elements included in your frame. It might take a lot of planning, but you’re likely to appreciate the outcome!
22. Feature Bokeh Lights
Another option is to add a bokeh effect to your family holiday photo. This out-of-focus blur effect makes photos look more enchanting, especially when it includes string lights that form colored and blurry blobs in the foreground or background.
This effect is best achieved by using a professional camera and the right lens. And once you have the essential gear, you can simply do some research online and learn more about bokeh photography (or learn to add the bokeh digitally in Photoshop) to help you add those beautiful floating orbs in your holiday photos.
23. Back to Basics
In case you run out of ideas, you can always do the classic holiday card photo. Posing in the living room with the holiday tree while wearing your best threads remains a timeless look for any card. If you’re posing in the same place and with the same decorations, it can even be an interesting way to show how much your family changes and grows each year!
Whatever concept or idea you choose for your family holiday card, we’re sure you’re going to love the results. After all, what truly matters is the memories that you create with your loved ones during the experience.
